JP3279697B2 - Electrical connector - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrical connector having a cover for protecting a connection terminal exposed from the connector housing before the connector is fitted in the connector housing. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional example of this type of electrical connector is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 57-10470 , and has a structure as shown in FIGS. That is, 1 is a male connector housing, and in each terminal accommodating chamber 2 formed in the male connector housing 1,
A terminal 4 for connecting the electric wire 3 is fitted. The terminal housing 2 is provided on the side of the male connector housing 1.
A window 5 for exposing the terminal 4 fitted therein is formed. The window 5 is provided to prevent the terminal 4 from being damaged when the connector housing 1 is transported or handled. , A protective cover 6 for protecting the terminal 4
Are fitted and held slidably in the vertical direction in the drawing. 7 is a mating connector housing having a fitting hole 8 in which the male connector housing 1 is fitted, the the fitting hole in the 8, a flexible printed that is additionally provided on the wall surface of the mating connector housing 7 The tongue piece 10 of the wiring board 9 is inserted .

[0003] Therefore, in the fitting hole 8 of the mating connector Ujingu 7, when fitting the male connector housing 1, as shown in Figure 3, the lower edge of the protective cover 6 partner connections
The protective cover 6 is brought into contact with the wall surface of the housing 7, more precisely, the surface of the flexible printed wiring board 9, and at the same time, the protective cover 6 is pushed up to open the window 5, and at the same time, each terminal in each terminal accommodating chamber 2 is opened. Reference numeral 4 denotes a structure connected to each circuit pattern 11 exposed on the surface of the flexible printed wiring board 9.

[0004]

However, in such an electric connector having the conventional structure, the protective cover 6 provided on the window 5 of the male connector housing 1 has both side edges of the protective cover 6. Since the structure is loosely fitted in the groove formed in the housing 1, its protective cover is provided.
Or lower edge is simply pushed up the 6, also the protective cover 6 in the operation of the upper and lower male connector housing 1 is opposite operates, damage the terminal 4 window 5 got accidentally opened Or it may be deformed.

Therefore, when the male connector housing 1 is transported or mounted, the window 5 is inadvertently opened, which causes the terminals 4 in the male connector housing 1 to be opened.
However, there is a problem that it cannot be protected.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and a protective cover provided on a male connector housing has a male connector housing fitted with a mating connector housing. Other than during operation
Provided is an electrical connector in which the protective cover is locked so that the protective cover is not opened when the male connector housing is transported or the like and the protection of the terminals mounted in the male connector housing is ensured. It is in.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS.

In FIGS. 4 to 8, reference numeral 21 denotes a male connector housing.
In each terminal accommodating chamber 22 formed in FIG.
Are connected to each other. The side of the male connector housing 21 is provided with the terminal accommodating chamber 22.
Window 2 for exposing terminal 24 inserted therein
5 are formed, and guide grooves 126 are formed on both side edges of the window 25. A protective cover 127 is slidably fitted in the guide groove 126 so as to open and close the window 25. When the window 25 is closed by the protective cover 127, the connector housing 21 is conveyed. Damage to the terminal 24 at times
Has been prevented .

The protective cover 127 has a locking hole 1 for maintaining the closed state of the protective cover 127.
28 is formed, and the locking hole 128 is provided inside the connector housing 21.
And an elastic member provided adjacent to the protective cover 127 integrally therewith.
A locking claw 130 projecting from the deformable locking arm 129 is formed so as to be locked. Further
Elastic The deformation possible end of the engagement arm 129, projection 135 in which the wedge is formed in this protrusion 135 and the locking claws 1
The protective cover 12 is provided in a concave portion 136 formed between
Arrow B the front end edge 137 of 7 shown in FIG. 4 by entering engagement, the protective cover 127 is held so as not to move in both directions of arrows C.

Reference numeral 138 denotes a stopper provided on the protective cover 127. The stopper 138 is located at a position before the leading edge 137 of the protective cover 127 is engaged in the recess 136, that is, as shown in FIG. Tip edge 137
When There you are located on the proximal side of the locking arm 129 from the locking claw 130 (the protrusion 135 around the locking pawl 130 opposite) abut the connector housing 21, the protective cover 127 is the connector housing 21 Is prevented from leaving.

[0011] 31 is a female mating connector housing having a fitting hole 32 of the male connector housing 21 is fitted, on its fitting hole 32, the other party <br/> of the female A female mating connector housing into which a tongue portion 34 having a circuit pattern exposed on a flexible printed wiring board 33 attached to the wall surface of the connector housing 31 is inserted.
The ring 31 and the male connector housing 21 are fitted together.
Then, the circuit of the tongue piece 34 and the male connector housing 2
1 is connected to the terminal 24 accommodated in
Have been. The structure of the present embodiment has been described above. Next, the operation will be described. The protective cover 127 provided on the male connector housing 21 of the present embodiment is usually provided with the window 2.
5 is closed to prevent the terminals 24 housed in the connector housing 21 from being exposed, thereby protecting them. The protective cover 127 has a front edge 137 that is a protrusion.
The male connector housing 21 is engaged in a concave portion 136 formed between
4 does not move in both directions of arrows B and C in FIG. 4, and is configured to close the window 25 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). Reference numeral 139 denotes a locking projection for locking the male connector housing 21 to the female mating connector housing 31.

The male connector housing 21
Is inserted into the fitting hole 32 of the female mating connector housing 31, the tip of the male connector housing 21 is fitted into the hole edge of the fitting hole 32. Thereby, the locking arm 12 provided on the male connector housing 21 is provided.
9, the protrusion 135 at the tip of the fitting hole 32 is pushed by the edge of the fitting hole 32 , and the locking arm 129 is bent as shown in FIG. The bending of the locking arm 129 causes the leading edge 13 of the protective cover 127 to move.
7 is removed from the recess 136 and the locking arm 12
Nine locking claws 130 are detached from the locking holes 128, and the leading edge 137 is separated from the distal end of the locking claw 130. Further, when the male connector housing 21 is inserted into the fitting hole 32, as shown in FIG.
Of the mating connector housing 31, to be precise, the surface of the flexible printed wiring board 33. At the same time, the protective cover 127 is pushed up to open the window 25, and is accommodated in each terminal accommodating chamber 22. Each terminal 24
Are exposed on the tongue piece 34 of the printed wiring board 33.
Circuit, a predetermined electrical circuit is formed, and male and female connectors
Connection of the connector is completed .

According to the present embodiment, the protective cover 127 is provided to be opened and closed in the male connector housing 21, the window 25 due to the protective cover 127
Is closed, the protective cover 127 does not move and the window 25 is closed due to the locking action between the locking hole 128 and the locking claw 130 and the locking action between the tip edge 137 and the projection 135.
Locked.

[0014] For this reason, the male connector housing 2
1 and the like, the protective cover 27 interferes with another male connector housing 21 and the
Of the terminal 24 can be surely protected without releasing the blockage. Also when fitting the male connector housing 21 to the mating connector housing 31 of the female type,
The engagement between the engagement hole 128 and the engagement claw 130 and the engagement between the tip edge 137 and the protrusion 135 are released by the fitting operation of the male connector housing 21, and the protection cover 1 is released.
27 is raised to open the window 25, and the connection between the terminal 24 and the circuit of the tongue piece 134 is simple with a one-touch fitting operation of the male connector housing 21 .
One is intended reliably performed.

[0015]

As described above, the present invention provides a connector housing
(21) and damage to the terminal (24) fitted therein.
With a sliding protective cover (127) to prevent
Electrical connector, wherein the connector housing
(21) inside the protective cover (127)
An adjacent elastically deformable locking arm (129) is provided.
Formed near the free end of the locking arm (129).
The locking claw (130), the projection (135), and the locking claw (13)
0) and the recess (136) between the projection (135) and the front
A locking hole (128) near the edge of the protective cover (127);
The leading edge (13) defined by the locking hole (128)
7), the locking arm (129) and the protection cover
A locking portion for locking the bar (127) with each other,
Connect the connector housing (21) to the mating connector housing.
The locking arm (129) when fitted to the ring (31).
The locking of the locking portion is released by the elastic deformation of
Since the protection cover (127) is characterized by being movable in the opening direction, according to this, first, the protection cover ( 127) provided to be openable and closable in the connector housing (21). Is closed inside the connector housing (21) when the cover is closed.
Locking arm adjacent to the protective cover (127)
The locking action of the locking portion provided on the
Since the cover 127 is locked so as not to be opened, the male connector housing (2
1) For example, at the time of carrying work, etc., other male connectors
Due to interference with the housing, the locking arm (129)
The terminal (2
4) Protection is assured. Second, the male connector housing (21) is replaced with a female mating connector housing.
When mating with (31) , the connector housing
Since the engagement of the engagement portion is released by the fitting operation of (31) and the protective cover (127) is opened,
There is an effect that the connection between the terminal (24) and the circuit can be reliably performed by the one-touch fitting operation of the male connector housing (21) . Third, the structure of the locking portion is extremely
Easy and smooth release
Connector housing (21) and female mating connector how
Smooth and secure
It is possible to perform a fitting collaboration industry of the actual connector housing
You. Fourth, the locking arm (129) is provided with a protective cover (12).
7) installed inside the connector housing (21) adjacent to
The shape of the connector housing (21)
Has the effect of being able to be stored in a small size.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a structural explanatory view of a conventional example.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory sectional view of a conventional example.

FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory view of a conventional example.

FIG. 4 is a half perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional end view in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of the operation of the embodiment of the present invention at the initial stage of connector insertion.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the embodiment of the present invention at the time when the fitting of the connector is completed.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 ... Connector housing 22 ... Terminal accommodating chamber 23 ... Electric wire 24 ... Terminal 25 ... Window 31 ... Mating connector housing 32 ... Fitting hole 33 ... Flexible printed wiring board 34 ... Tongue piece 126 ... Guide groove 127 ... Protective cover 128 ... Stop hole 129 Locking arm 130 Locking claw 135 Protrusion 136 Recess 137 Front edge 138 Stopper
Over 139 ... locking projection

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A connector housing (21) and a connector housing (21)
An electrical connector provided with a slide-type protection cover ( 127 ) for preventing damage of the fitted terminal (24) , wherein the electrical connector is provided inside the connector housing ( 21).
Elastically deformable locking adjacent to the protective cover (127)
Arm (129) is provided, and the locking arm (129)
The locking claw (130) and the projection (13) formed near the free end
5), between the locking claw (130) and the projection (135);
A recess (136) and a locking hole (12) near the edge of the protective cover (127).
8) a leading edge defined by the locking hole (128);
(137), the locking arm (129) and the protective cover (127)
And the locking arm (129) when the connector housing ( 21 ) is fitted to the mating connector housing ( 31 ).
The electrical connector characterized in that the locking of the locking portion is released by the elastic deformation of the protection cover ( 127 ) and the protective cover ( 127 ) can be moved in the opening direction .