JP3298424B2 - Structure to prevent erroneous locking of double locking cover of connector - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a structure for preventing erroneous locking of a double locking cover of a connector, and more particularly, to a structure for reliably preventing erroneous locking.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a wire harness system for an automobile, as shown in FIG. 8, a wire harness W / H-1 of a cowl panel 1 and a wire harness W / H-2 of an instrument panel 2 include: Wire harness manufacturers have joined together, and wire harness manufacturers have been assured that connectors will be forgotten or partially mated.

However, from the viewpoint of workability in an automobile assembly line, the wire harness W / H-1 of the cowl panel 1 and the wire harness W / H-2 of the instrument panel 2 are considered.
Are divided into two parts, as shown in FIG. 9, the connector insertion portions 3A and 3A of the electric connection box 3 of the wire harness W / H-1.
B, 3C, wire harness W / H-2 connector 4
The work of fitting A, 4B, and 4C is being changed to a system performed by an automobile manufacturer on an automobile assembly line.

At this time, if the wire harness W / H-2 of the instrument panel 2 is provided with a connector 4A for an airbag system, it is an important connector 4A that is directly related to human life. It is necessary to make every effort to guarantee forgotten or semi-mated.

For this reason, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the connector 4A is connected to the connector insertion portion 3A of the electric connection box 3.
Then, the connector 4A is locked by the double locking cover 5 after fitting.

The double locking cover 5 is attached to the electrical connection box 3 at a position lateral to the insertion portion 3A by a hinge shaft 5a.
When not in use, it is urged by the leaf spring 6 in the opening direction of the insertion portion 3A, and is urged by the leaf spring 6 at the lower swing position A at the upright wall portion 3a of the adjacent insertion portion 3B. Can be guessed. On the other hand, in use, when the insertion portion 3A is swung upward in the closing direction against the urging force of the leaf spring 6, the upper portion of the connector 4A fitted to the insertion portion 3A is locked and pulled out. At the same time as stopping [see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 10B], the insertion portion 3A
Lock claw 3b, lock hole 5 of double locking cover 5
b and 5b are engaged and locked at the upper swing position B.

If the connector 4A is not completely fitted to the insertion portion 3A, the double locking cover 5 will
A is not locked at the upper swing position B by contacting the A.

Further, when not in use, the double locking cover 5 has a structure in which the insertion portion 3A urged in the opening direction by the leaf spring 6 is opened to allow the connector 4A to be fitted smoothly. Unless the double locking cover 5 is locked at the upper swing position B, the connector 4B cannot be fitted to the adjacent insertion portion 3B unless the double locking cover 5 is locked at the upright wall portion 3a of the insertion portion 3B. ing.

With the above structure, the connector 3A
This is a measure to prevent forgetting or semi-mating of the mating.

[0010]

However, when the wire harness W / H-1 is transported from the wire harness maker to the automobile assembling maker, the wire harness W / H-1 or the like is attached to the double locking cover 5. When the connector 4A is swung upward in the closing direction due to an impact or the like, the double locking cover 5 is locked in a state where the connector 4A is not fitted to the insertion portion 3A as shown in FIG. The hole 5b is engaged with the lock claw 3b of the insertion portion 3A, and the double locking cover 5 is erroneously locked at the upper swing position B.

In such a case, it is necessary for the assembly manufacturer of the automobile to perform the unlocking operation of the double locking cover 5, but it is necessary to change the working posture because the operation is to be performed on the conveyor line. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to perform the operation with the operation performed, and thus a structure that can prevent erroneous locking beforehand has been demanded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a structure for preventing erroneous locking of a double locking cover of a connector, which can reliably prevent erroneous locking and can be manufactured at low cost. It is an issue.

[0013]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the connector of the electric connection box is swingable in the opening and closing direction of the insertion portion at the side of the insertion portion. A double locking cover is provided which is urged in the opening direction of the insertion portion by a spring when not in use, and resists the urging force of the spring when in use. When the insertion portion is swung in the closing direction, the connector inserted into the insertion portion is locked and prevented from falling off, and at the same time, the insertion portion is locked. And a stopper plate which is detachably mounted between the double locking cover and the double locking cover to prevent the double locking cover from swinging in the closing direction of the insertion portion. The connector is characterized in that it is pulled out when using the locking cover And it provides a false locking preventing structure of double locking cover data.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a detachable stopper plate is mounted between the insertion portion of the connector of the electric connection box and the double locking cover, so that when not in use,
The double locking cover can be prevented from swinging in the closing direction of the insertion portion.

Since the stopper plate can be removed at the time of use, that is, immediately before the fitting of the connector, there is no problem that the stopper plate is erroneously locked during transportation, and it is not necessary to perform an unlocking operation by an automobile assembly manufacturer.

Further, since the stopper plate may have a simple shape which can be simply formed into a square shape with a synthetic resin,
The cost is low enough to be disposable, and the above synthetic resin can be recycled if molding waste and defective products of other products are recycled.
Lower cost.

The positioning hole is provided in the insertion portion, and the stopper plate is provided with a locking piece which is removably inserted into the positioning hole. That is, the stopper piece bent and provided on the stopper plate is inserted into the positioning hole of the insertion portion, thereby positioning the stopper plate and holding the stopper plate. The stopper plate may be inserted into the gap between the insertion portion and the double locking cover, and may be sandwiched and attached between the insertion portion and the double locking cover.

When the positioning hole is provided in the insertion portion as described in claim 2, the positioning piece is formed by a pair of cylindrical portions projecting to the inside of the insertion portion, while the locking piece provided on the stopper plate is Inverted concave shape, both sides are inserted into the cylindrical part, and the center connecting part is located between the upper surfaces of the cylindrical part. When the stopper plate is attached, the center connecting part cannot insert the connector into the insertion part. It is preferable to adopt a configuration (claim 3).

The cylindrical portion projecting into the insertion portion is formed so as to correspond to the outer shape of the connector to be inserted into the insertion portion. As described above, since the connector cannot be inserted into the insertion portion while the stopper plate is attached to the tubular portion, the stopper plate can be reliably removed and the connector can be attached.

It is preferable that the width of the stopper plate is formed wider than the width of the double locking cover. With this configuration, swinging of the double locking cover in the closing direction can be more reliably prevented.

It is preferable that a bent portion extending above the insertion portion is formed at the upper end of the stopper plate. With this shape, the connector cannot be fitted unless the stopper portion is pulled out because the bent portion interferes, so that it is possible to prevent forgetting to pull out the stopper plate.

It is preferable that operation protrusions are provided on both upper side portions of the stopper plate.
With such a shape, the mounting and removal of the stopper plate can be easily performed by the operation projection.

Preferably, the stopper plate is provided with a locking portion for engaging with the locking recess of the insertion portion, and the locking recess of the insertion portion also locks with the connector. Item 7). That is, the locking between the stopper plate and the connector can be shared by one locking recess provided in the insertion portion, and the structure can be simplified. Also,
It is possible to prevent the stopper plate from being carelessly pulled out due to an impact or the like.

It is preferable that a notch is formed in the upper part of the locking portion of the stopper plate so as to reduce rigidity and to make it easier to bend. With this structure, the upper portion is easily bent and deformed by an impact or the like, so that the locking portion can be reliably prevented from coming off the locking recess.

The opening angle position of the double locking cover may be set at a position where the locking portion does not come off from the locking recess by preventing deformation of the stopper plate in the opening direction. ). With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the stopper plate from being deformed due to an impact or the like and the engaging portion from coming off the engaging concave portion.

[0026]

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

The parts having the same structure and operation as those of the prior art shown in FIG. 8 and subsequent figures are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIGS. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment, in which a stopper plate 8 is integrally formed of synthetic resin.
(A) to (C), the width W of the double locking cover 5
A bent portion 8a which is bent in one direction is formed at the upper end of the upper portion of the wide width W1 which is equal to or larger than the width W3.
With a gap d, an engaging portion 8b which is shortly bent in one direction is formed at a lower edge portion of the opening 8d, and a lower end portion 8c at the lower portion of the narrow width W2 is shortly bent in the other direction.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the stopper plate 8 has a connector insertion portion 3A of the connector of the electric connection box 3.
While pressing down the bent portion 8a with a finger, insert the folded portion 8a from above P into the gap between the double locking cover 5 and sliding the lower end portion 8c on the upper surface of the curved portion 6a of the leaf spring 6,
The double locking cover 5 is attached so as to be slightly sunk below the hinge shaft 5a.

When the stopper plate 8 is completely mounted between the insertion portion 3A and the double locking cover 5, the locking portion 8b of the stopper plate 8 is formed on the outer wall 3c of the insertion portion 3A. It engages with the stop recess 3d (see FIG. 3). The locking recess 3d also serves as a locking portion with the connector 4A fitted into the insertion portion 3A.

According to the above configuration, the wire harness maker may use the leaf spring 6 to make a difference between the electric connection box 3 and the double locking cover 5 before transporting the same to the automobile assembly maker. A stopper is provided between the double locking cover 5 and the insertion portion 3A which are urged in the opening direction of the insertion portion 3A and are stopped at the lower swing position A by the standing wall 3a of the adjacent insertion portion 3B. Insert the plate 8 and attach it,
b is engaged with the locking recess 3d of the insertion portion 3A.

Accordingly, even if the wire harness W / H-1 or the like strikes the double locking cover 5 during transportation (when not in use), the double locking cover 5 swings upward in the closing direction. Movement is prevented beforehand by the stopper plate 8. Therefore, the double locking cover 5 is not erroneously locked at the upper swing position B, and there is no need to perform an unlocking operation by an automobile assembly manufacturer.

When the stopper plate 8 is used, that is, immediately before fitting of the connector 4A in the assembly work of the conveyor line at the automobile assembly maker, the bent portion 8a is pulled up by a finger to lock the locking portion 8b. It can be pulled upward while pulling it out of the recess 3d.

When the stopper plate 8 is removed, the connector 4A can be fitted into the insertion portion 3A. After the connector 4A is fitted, when the double locking cover 5 is swung upward in the closing direction of the insertion portion 3A against the urging force of the leaf spring 6, the connector fitted to the insertion portion 3A At the same time as the upper part of 4A is locked to prevent it from falling out, the lock hole 5b of the double locking cover 5 is engaged with the locking claw 3b of the insertion part 3A, and the double locking cover 5 is Locked.

The stopper plate 8 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (C), since it is a simple shape that is simply formed into a substantially square shape with a synthetic resin, it can be manufactured at a low cost so that it can be disposable at one time. In addition, the synthetic resin can be manufactured at lower cost by recycling molding waste and defective products of other products.

In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the width W1 of the stopper plate 8 is formed wider than the width W3 of the double locking cover 5 (W1> W).
3) Even if the double locking cover 5 is shifted in the width direction of the stopper plate 8, there is a margin of the width W1 of the stopper plate 8, so that the upward swinging of the double locking cover 8 in the opening direction is reliably prevented. can do.

Since the bent portion 8a is formed at the upper end of the stopper plate 8, the stopper plate 8 can be easily attached (inserted) and removed by using the bent portion 8a, and the stopper plate 8 is not removed. The bent portion 8a interferes with the connector 4A and cannot be fitted to the insertion portion 3A, so that the stopper plate 8 can be prevented from being forgotten to be removed.

Further, the locking portion 8 of the stopper plate 8
By engaging b with the locking recess 3d of the insertion portion 3A, it is possible to prevent the stopper plate 8 from being carelessly pulled out by an impact or the like.

In the stopper plate 8 having the locking portion 8b formed thereon, the height of the vertical wall portion 3a of the electric connection box 3 is adjusted to open the double locking cover 5 (lower swing position A). Is deformed in the opening direction of the stopper plate 8 (FIG. 1).
When the locking portion 8b is set at an angular position at which the locking portion 8b does not come off from the locking recess 3d, the locking portion 8b is locked by deformation of the double locking cover 5 due to impact or the like. It can be prevented from coming off from the recess 3d.

As shown in FIG. 4D, cuts 8e and 8e are formed on both sides of the opening 8d of the stopper plate 8 to reduce the rigidity of the upper portion of the stopper plate 8 and make it easier to bend. Since the upper portion of the stopper plate 8 is easily bent and deformed than the cuts 8e, 8e, the locking portion 8b can be surely prevented from coming off the locking recess 3d.

FIGS. 5 to 7 show a second embodiment, and FIG.
The difference from the embodiment is that, in the first embodiment, the stopper plate 8 is sandwiched and positioned between the double locking cover 5 and the insertion portion 3A, but in the second embodiment,
The insertion hole 30a is provided in the insertion portion 30, while the stopper plate 80 is provided with a locking piece 80a that is removably inserted into the positioning hole 30a, and the stopper plate 80 is positioned and held only by the insertion portion 30. is there.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B and FIG. 6, the insertion portion 30 on the side where the double locking cover 5 is mounted is provided.
A pair of cylindrical portions 30d is provided on both sides of a locking concave portion 30c provided at the center of the side wall 30b so as to protrude in the vertical direction, and the hollow portions of these cylindrical portions 30d are used as the positioning holes 30a. The pair of cylindrical portions 30d protruding into the insertion portions 30 correspond to the depressions of the outer shape of the connector 4A fitted into the insertion portions 30.

On the other hand, FIGS. 5B and 7A and 7B
As shown in (C), the stopper plate 80 is provided with an inverted concave locking piece 80a bent from the center of the lower edge of the rectangular upper portion 80b. Both side portions 80c, 80c of the locking piece 80a are inserted into the positioning holes 30a, 30a from above and are closely fitted, and the central connecting portion 80d is bridged over the upper surfaces of the pair of cylindrical portions 30d.

A locking portion 80e is provided at the center of the central connecting portion 80d so as to protrude downward from the lower edge of the upper portion 80b, and then has a bent tip.
0e is locked in the locking recess 30c of the insertion portion 30.

Further, a bent portion 80f is provided at the upper end edge of the upper portion 80b, and a projection 80g for operation is provided to be bent from both side edges of the upper portion 80b.

Further, similarly to the first embodiment, an opening 80k is provided at the center of the upper part 80b, and the upper part 80b
A pair of protruding pieces 80h extending downward from both sides of the lower edge of
A guide portion 80i curved in a direction opposite to the locking piece 80a is provided at the lower end of the guide piece 80a.

Since the stopper plate 80 has the above-described shape, first, the locking piece 80a is inserted into the positioning hole 30a of the insertion portion 30, whereby positioning and holding can be achieved. In particular, since the stopper plate 80 can be reliably positioned and held only by the insertion portion 30, the reliability of the mounting state of the stopper plate 80 can be improved.
Further, the operation of the stopper plate 80 is facilitated by the operation projection 80g, and the guide portion 80i is provided at the lower end of the projection 80h.
Even if it hits the insertion part 30 when 0 is inserted, it can be inserted smoothly.

Further, the central connecting portion 80d of the locking piece 80a
When the connector 4A is inside the insertion portion 30, the connector 4A cannot be inserted.
Can be reliably removed.

The other configuration and operation are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

[0050]

As is apparent from the above description, the erroneous lock prevention structure according to the first aspect of the present invention is provided by the stopper plate mounted between the insertion portion of the connector and the double locking cover. In use, the double locking cover can be prevented from swinging in the closing direction of the insertion portion.

Since the stopper plate can be pulled out during use, there is no problem that the stopper plate is erroneously locked during transportation, and there is no need to perform an unlocking operation by an automobile assembly maker. Since the shape can be simple enough to be formed into a shape, the cost is low enough to be disposable, and the cost of the synthetic resin is reduced by recycling molding waste and defective products of other products.

When the stopper plate is positioned and held only by the connector housing as in claims 2 and 3, it is possible to enhance the mounting reliability of the stopper plate.

When the width of the stopper plate is made larger than the width of the double locking cover, swinging of the double locking cover in the closing direction can be more reliably prevented.

Further, when a bent portion extending above the insertion portion is formed at the upper end portion of the stopper plate, the stopper plate can be easily mounted and removed, and the bent portion interferes. Since the connector cannot be fitted unless the stopper plate is removed, it is possible to prevent the stopper plate from being forgotten to be removed.

If the operation protrusion is provided on the stopper plate, the operation of the stopper plate becomes easy. Further, when the stopper plate is provided with a locking portion that engages with the locking concave portion of the insertion portion, it is possible to prevent the stopper plate from being accidentally pulled out by an impact or the like.

If a notch is formed in the upper portion of the locking portion of the stopper plate to reduce the rigidity and bend easily, the upper portion is easily bent and deformed by an impact or the like. Detachment from the locking recess can be reliably prevented.

Further, the open position of the double locking cover is set to a position where the locking portion does not come off from the locking concave portion by stopping the deformation of the stopper plate in the opening direction. Also, it is possible to prevent the locking portion from coming off the locking recess due to deformation due to impact or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an erroneous lock prevention structure for a double locking cover according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 1;

4 (A) is a front view, FIG. 4 (B) is a side view, FIG. 4 (C) is a plan view, and FIG. 4 (D) is a front view of a modification.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment, in which (A) is a plan view,
(B) is a vertical sectional view.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a main part of a connector according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a stopper plate of a second embodiment,
(A) is a plan view, (B) is a front view, (C) is c in (B).
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line -c.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a conventional wire harness of a cowl panel and a wire harness of an instrument panel.

9A and 9B are electrical connection boxes, in which FIG. 9A is a side view and FIG.
Is a front view.

10A and 10B show a conventional structure for preventing a double locking cover from being erroneously locked, wherein FIG. 10A is a plan view, FIG. 10B is a side cross-sectional view, and FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 3 electrical connection box 3A insertion part 3d locking concave part 4A connector 5 double locking cover 6 leaf spring 8 stopper plate 8a bent part 8b locking part 8c lower end part 8e opening 8e cut

Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01R 13/639 H01R 13/64

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] A double locking cover is provided at a side of the insertion portion of the connector of the electric connection box so as to be swingable in the opening and closing direction of the insertion portion. When not in use, it is urged by the spring in the opening direction of the insertion part, and in use, when it swings in the closing direction of the insertion part against the urging force of the spring, it is inserted into the insertion part. The connector is locked so as to be locked to the insertion portion at the same time as the connector, and is detachably mounted between the insertion portion and the double locking cover, so that the double locking is performed. A stopper plate for preventing the cover from swinging in the closing direction of the insertion portion is provided, and the stopper plate is adapted to be removed when the double locking cover is used. Locking prevention structure for locking cover. 2. While providing a positioning hole in the insertion portion,
2. The structure for preventing erroneous locking of a double locking cover of a connector according to claim 1, wherein said stopper plate is provided with a locking piece which is removably inserted into said positioning hole. 3. The positioning hole is formed by a pair of cylindrical portions protruding inward of the insertion portion, while a locking piece provided on the stopper plate is inverted concave, and both side portions are cylindrical portions. 3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the central connecting portion is located between the upper surfaces of the tubular portions while the connector is not inserted into the insertion portion when the stopper plate is attached. Structure to prevent erroneous locking of the double locking cover of the connector. 4. The erroneous locking of the double locking cover of the connector according to claim 1, wherein the width of the stopper plate is formed wider than the width of the double locking cover. Prevention structure. 5. The double locking cover for a connector according to claim 1, wherein a bent portion extending above the insertion portion is formed at an upper end portion of the stopper plate. Locking prevention structure. 6. The structure for preventing erroneous lock of a double locking cover of a connector according to claim 1, wherein operation projections are provided on both upper side portions of the stopper plate. 7. The stopper plate according to claim 1, wherein a locking portion is formed on the stopper plate to be engaged with the locking recess of the insertion portion, and the locking recess of the insertion portion also engages with the connector. An erroneous lock prevention structure for the double locking cover of the connector according to any one of claims 6 to 6. 8. The double locking cover for a connector according to claim 1, wherein a notch is formed in an upper portion of the locking portion of the stopper plate to reduce rigidity and facilitate bending. Locking prevention structure. 9. An opening angle position of the double locking cover,
The structure for preventing erroneous locking of the double locking cover of the connector according to claim 1, wherein the stopper plate is set at a position where the locking portion does not come off from the locking recess by stopping deformation of the stopper plate in the opening direction.