JP3427925B2 - 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 connector having a function of detecting a fitted state with a mating connector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a connector having a function of detecting a mating state with a mating connector, there is one shown in FIGS. The connector a has a lock arm c that extends rearward along the upper surface of the connector housing b, and a detection member d that can slip under the lock arm c. The lock arm c elastically bends so as to approach the outer surface of the connector housing b,
When both connectors a and e reach the normal fitting state, the lock arm c elastically returns to engage with the mating connector e, and both connectors a and e are locked in a non-separable manner. After that, the detection member d, which has been standing by behind the lock arm c, is linearly slid forward so that the detection member d gets under the lock arm c. At this time, if the two connectors a and e are in the half-fitted state, the lock arm c remains elastically bent, and the detection member d cannot be slipped into the lock arm c. That is,
The fitting state of both connectors a and e is detected depending on whether or not the detection member d can be slipped under the lock arm c. As this type of connector, there is a connector disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 1-166977.

[0003]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention The above-mentioned conventional connector a
Since the rear end of the lock arm c extends to substantially the same position as the rear end surface of the connector housing b, the detection member d projects rearward of the connector housing b when the detection member d is in the standby position. However, depending on the mounting location of the connector a, a sufficient space may not be secured behind the connector housing b, so it is desirable that the amount by which the detection member d projects rearward is small.

On the other hand, when the detection member d is slid, the larger the stroke is, the more the sense of moderation at the time of operation can be enhanced to improve the operability. Therefore, if priority is given to operability, the amount of protrusion of the detection member d from the connector housing b in the standby state must be increased. Thus, in the conventional connector a, the connector housing b of the detection member d
It was not possible to improve the operability while reducing the amount of protrusion from.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to improve the operability while reducing the amount of protrusion of the detection member from the connector housing.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a connector housing is provided with a lock arm and a detection member, and the lock arm and the connector housing are in the middle of fitting with a mating connector. The exterior of
While it elastically bends while advancing into the bending space provided between the lock arm and the lock arm, the lock arm elastically returns and locks with the mating connector when locked to the mating state, In a configuration in which a fitting state is detected by displacing a member from a standby position outside the bending space of the lock arm to a detection position inside the bending space, the detection member is provided along the outer surface of the connector housing. The structure is such that it is displaced along the arc-shaped path between the standby position and the detection position.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the detecting member is supported by the connector housing by means of a shaft supporting means. According to a third aspect of the invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the center of the arc of the displacement path of the detection member is set to the side of the bending space, and the standby position is the center of the arc. It is configured to be set at a position behind the connector housing and projecting from the connector housing.

The invention of claim 4 is the invention of claims 1 to 3.
In any one of the inventions, the lock arm is provided along an outer surface of the connector housing, the bending space is provided between the lock arm and the connector housing, and the lock arm is displaced to the detection position. In this state, the detection member is hidden by the lock arm.

The invention according to claim 5 is any one of claims 1 to 4.
In any one of the inventions, the lock arm has a cantilevered shape, and a surface of the extended end facing the bending space has a step shape so as to avoid interference with the connector housing during bending operation. The stepped receiving portion is formed in the recessed portion, and when the detection member attempts to enter the flexible space with respect to the lock arm in the elastically flexible state, The detection member abuts against the stepped receiving portion during the approach, so that the further approach is restricted.

The invention of claim 6 is the first to fifth aspects of the invention.
In any one of the inventions, the detection position is arranged at a position corresponding to an engaging portion with the mating connector when the lock arm elastically bends.

[0011]

[Advantageous Effects of the Invention] [Invention of Claim 1] Since the displacement path between the standby position and the detection position is arcuate, under the condition that both positions are fixed. , The displacement path becomes longer than in the case of linear displacement between the two positions. Since the operation length is long, the operator can surely feel that the detection operation is performed from the standby position to the detection position, and the reliability of the operation is improved. Also, under the condition that the detection position is fixed and the distance along the displacement path between both positions is determined, compared to the case where the displacement path from the detection position to the standby position is linear. Then, the distance between both positions becomes shorter in the present invention in which the displacement path is arcuate. Therefore, for example, when the detection member projects from the connector housing at the standby position, the amount of projection can be reduced.

[Invention of Claim 2] When the detecting member is slidably contacted with the arc-shaped guide as a means for ensuring the arc-shaped path, there is a concern that the detecting member may be caught or twisted with respect to the guide. Since the arc-shaped path is secured by the means, there is no risk of getting caught or twisting,
The displacement operation of the detection member can be facilitated. [Invention of Claim 3] When the detection member is displaced from the standby position to the detection position, the detection member is pushed sideways. At this time, since the detection member projects rearward from the connector housing, it is easy to operate. The displacement direction of the detection member is generally lateral in the initial stage, gradually changes toward the front as the displacement proceeds, and the displacement direction at the final stage is approximately forward. Since the initial displacement direction is the horizontal direction, that is, the direction along the rear surface of the connector housing, it is possible to secure a large stroke while keeping the amount of the detection member protruding rearward from the connector housing small.

[Invention of Claim 4] The detection member at the standby position is exposed to the outside of the lock arm to be visible, and the detection member displaced to the detection position is hidden behind the lock arm and invisible. Therefore, the position of the detection member can be surely visually recognized. [Invention of Claim 5] It is desirable that the extended end of the lock arm has a recessed shape for avoiding interference with the connector housing when elastically deflected. However, when this recessed shape is tapered, When the detection member tries to displace toward the bending space (detection position) in the semi-fitted state where the lock arm is bent, the detection member is forcibly guided by the taper but is in the semi-fitted state. It is displaced to the detection position, and as a result, not only the detection operation is not performed normally, but also the lock arm and the mating connector are deformed. However, in the present invention, since the detection member is made to abut against the stepped receiving portion as a stepped recess, it is possible to prevent the detection member from being displaced to the detection position forcibly despite the half-fitted state.

[Invention of Claim 6] Since the detection position is arranged at a position corresponding to the engaging portion with the mating connector when the lock arm is elastically flexed, the detection member reaches the detection position for normal fitting. In the fitted state, the displacement in the direction in which the engaging portion is disengaged from the mating connector is reliably regulated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the engagement portion from being disengaged and being disengaged from the mating connector.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The connector F of the present embodiment includes a connector housing 10 fitted in the hood portion Ma of the mating connector M,
A lock arm 11 formed on the upper surface of the connector housing 10 and a detection member 20 also provided on the upper surface of the connector housing 10 are provided. When the connector F and the mating connector M are fitted together, both terminals are connected in an electrically conductive state. In the following description, the mating direction of the mating connector M is the front.

The upper surface of the connector housing 10 is parallel to the moving direction when it is fitted to the mating connector M, and the lock arm 11 is located at the center of the upper surface in the left-right direction. The lock arm 11 rises from the front end of the connector housing 10 and extends rearward in a cantilever manner substantially parallel to the upper surface of the connector housing 10. The rear end surface of the release portion 12 at the rear end and the rear end surface of the connector housing 10. And are at the same position in the front-back direction. The lock arm 11 is elastically bendable so that its rear end side (free end side) is displaced downward. The space between the upper surface of the connector housing 10 and the lower surface of the lock arm 11 is
When the lock arm 11 elastically bends, the rear end of the lock arm 11 advances into the bending space 13. Further, on the upper surface of the lock arm 11, the lock projection 14 (the engaging portion which is a constituent feature of the present invention) is provided at a substantially central position in the front-back direction (length direction) thereof.
Are formed. The lower surface of the rear end of the lock arm 11 is
It is formed in a stepped shape, and the stepped portion serves as a stepped receiving portion 15. In this stepped receiving portion 15,
When the connector F is in the half-fitted state, the stepped detection portion 27 of the detection member 20 is abutted from the rear.

In the process of fitting the connector F of this embodiment to the mating connector M, the lock protrusion 14 of the lock arm 11 interferes with the receiving protrusion Mb of the hood portion Ma.
The lock arm 11 elastically bends downward (see FIG. 4). At this time, the rear end portion of the lock arm 11 has a bending space 1
It will be advanced within 3. Then, when the normal fitting state is reached, the lock arm 11 elastically returns upward, the lock protrusion 14 engages with the receiving protrusion Mb, and thus both connectors F,
M is locked in the fitted state.

On the right side of the lock arm 11 on the upper surface of the connector housing 10, the connector housing 10 is provided.
A mounting space 16 is provided which is opened at the rear end face and communicates with the bending space 13. This installation space 16
Is the floor surface of the flexible space 13 (connector housing 10
The upper surface of the lock arm 11 is parallel to the floor surface, and the ceiling surface of the mounting space 16 is parallel to the floor surface and has the same height as the lower surface of the lock arm 11. A substantially semicircular detection position locking projection 17B is formed at the boundary position between the mounting space 16 and the bending space 13 at the front end of the floor surface, and the detection position locking projection 17B is located diagonally to the rear right. At the position, a locking protrusion 17A having a semi-hemispherical shape is formed. Furthermore, on the diagonally right front side of the standby position locking projection 17A,
A shaft portion 18 that rotatably supports the detection member 20 is formed.

The detection member 20 is mounted in the mounting space 16 so as to be movable without sliding in the vertical direction and in sliding contact with the floor surface of the mounting space 16 and the upper surface of the connector housing 10. The detection member 20 has an arm shape, and has a bearing hole 21 formed at one end thereof in the shaft portion 18
It is attached to the connector housing 10 by means of a shaft supporting means 19 which is fitted to the connector housing 10. The detection member 20 is provided between the standby position (see FIG. 5) and the detection position (see FIG. 6) along the plane parallel to the floor of the mounting space 16 and the upper surface of the connector housing 10 by the shaft support means 19. Rotate and displace.

The shaft portion 1 which is the center of rotation of the detection member 20.
8 (shaft support means 19) is located on the right side of the bending space 13, and is in the standby position, the detection member 20.
The recess 22 at the other end of the lock arm 11 is located behind the shaft 18 and protrudes from the rear end surface of the connector housing 10 (see FIG. 5), and allows the lock arm 11 to elastically bend. Further, at the detection position, the recessed portion 22 enters the bending space 13 and is hidden under the lock arm 11 so that the lock arm 11 cannot be seen from above.
It is designed to regulate the elastic bending of the.

Then, in the area on the standby position side of the arcuate path of the recessed portion 22 between the standby position and the detection position, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. In a state of protruding rearward from the connector housing 10, the connector housing 10 is displaced in a direction substantially orthogonal to the fitting direction with the mating connector M. On the other hand, in the area on the detection position side of the rotation path, the undercut portion 22 is displaced substantially forward along the fitting direction with the mating connector M.

An operating portion 23 protruding upward is formed on the outer edge of the recessed portion 22 of the detecting member 20.
The outer surface of the operation portion 23 is a pressing surface 23A facing the right side of the connector housing 10 at the standby position. A relief portion 25 is formed on the lower surface of the rear end portion of the lock arm 11 for avoiding interference with the operation portion 23 when the lock arm 11 is displaced to the detection position. Further, at the side edge portion that is on the left side of the detection member 20 at the standby position, the detection position locking projection 1 of the connector housing 10 at the detection position.
The engagement hole 26 that holds the detection member 20 at the detection position by engaging with the 7B is formed. Further, a step-like detecting portion 27 is formed at the side edge portion on the left side at the standby position, which comes into contact with the step-like receiving portion 15 from the rear when the lock arm 11 advances into the bending space 13.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The fitting operation of the connectors F and M is performed in a state where the detection member 20 is retained at the standby position by locking the standby position locking projection 17A (see FIGS. 1 and 5). After the mating operation,
From the right side, the pressing surface 23A of the operation portion 23 of the detection member 20 is pressed with a finger to move the detection member 20 from the standby position to the detection position side. At this time, if the fitting is properly completed, the lock arm 11 is retracted upward with respect to the bending space 13, so that the detection member 20 enters the bending space 13 without interfering with the locking arm 11. Then, the detection position is reached (see FIG. 6).

On the other hand, when the connectors F and M are not completely fitted to each other, the lock protrusion 14 of the lock arm 11 is used.
Remains in interference with the receiving projection Mb of the mating connector M, and the lock arm 11 is elastically bent downward and the rear end thereof is advanced into the bending space 13, as shown in FIG. If the detection member 20 is to be displaced toward the detection position in this state, the step-shaped detection portion 27 of the detection member 20 comes into contact with the step-shaped receiving portion 15 of the lock arm 11 from the rear during the displacement (see FIG. 4). And FIG. 7), further displacement of the detection member 20 becomes impossible. The lock arm 1
When the deflection amount of No. 1 is large, the left edge of the detection member 20 comes into contact with the lock arm 11 from the right side before the position shown in FIG. 7, thereby restricting the displacement of the detection member 20. become.

As described above, the fitting state of the connector F is detected depending on whether or not the detecting member 20 can be displaced to the detecting position. In the present embodiment, the diving portion 2 between the standby position and the detection position of the detection member 20.
Since the second displacement path is arcuate, under the condition that both positions are fixed, the displacement path becomes longer than in the case where the two positions are linearly displaced. As a result, since the operation length is increased, the operator can surely feel the detection operation from the standby position to the detection position, and the reliability of the operation is improved. Also, under the condition that the detection position is fixed and the distance along the displacement path between both positions is determined, compared to the case where the displacement path from the detection position to the standby position is linear. Then, in the present embodiment in which the displacement path is arcuate, the distance between both positions becomes shorter. Therefore, when the detection member 20 projects from the connector housing 10 at the standby position, the amount of projection can be kept small.

It is also conceivable that the detection member 20 is slidably contacted with an arc-shaped guide as a means for ensuring the arc-shaped path of the recessed portion 22 of the detection member 20, but if this is done, there is a concern that the detection member 20 may be caught or twisted against the guide. It However, in this embodiment, since the arcuate path is secured by the shaft support means 19, there is no risk of catching or twisting, and the displacement operation of the detection member 20 can be facilitated. Further, when the detection member 20 is displaced from the standby position to the detection position, the detection member 20 is pushed laterally from the right side (direction substantially orthogonal to the mating direction with the mating connector M) at the initial stage of displacement. However, since the operation portion 23 that is pushed is projected rearward from the connector housing 10, it is easy to operate.

In addition, the operating portion 23 has the connector housing 1
Even if the operation member 23 projects rearward from 0, the displacement path in the first half of the operation of the operation portion 23 is a path substantially along the rear end edge of the connector housing 10. A large operation stroke is secured while keeping it small. Further, in the present embodiment, the rear end (extended end) of the lock arm 11 is formed in a stepped concave shape in order to avoid interference with the connector housing 10 during elastic bending, but if the concave shape is In the case where the lock arm 11 is tapered, the detection member 20 bends in the semi-fitting state in which the lock arm 11 bends and the bending space 13 (detection position)
When it is attempted to be displaced toward, the sensor member 20 is guided by the taper and is displaced to the detection position forcibly even though the detection member 20 is in the semi-fitted state, and as a result, the detection operation is not normally performed. Not only that, the lock arm 11 and the mating connector M may be deformed. However, in this embodiment, since the detection member 20 is made to abut against the stepped receiving portion 15 as a stepped recess, the detection member 20 may be displaced to the detection position by force even in the half-fitted state. It is prevented.

Further, when the detecting member 20 is in the standby position, the recessed portion 22 is exposed to the outside of the lock arm 11 and becomes visible, and when displaced to the detection position, the recessed portion 22 is hidden behind the lock arm 11. Therefore, the position of the detection member 20 can be surely known depending on whether or not the recess 22 can be visually observed.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the detection member 20 has a different form from that of the first embodiment. Since the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations, and the description of the structure, operation, and effect is omitted. In the second embodiment, when the detection member 20 is displaced to the detection position and the submerged portion 22a enters into the bending space 13 below the lock arm 11, the submerged portion 22a is located in the submerged portion 22 of the first embodiment. The protrusion 22a projects further forward, and a part of the recess 22a is located directly below the lock protrusion 14. As a result, in the normal fitting state where the detection member 20 reaches the detection position, the displacement of the lock protrusion 14 in the direction (downward) of being disengaged from the mating connector M is reliably regulated. Therefore, the lock protrusion 14 of the lock arm 11
It is possible to prevent that only the portion of B is deformed by bending and the engagement with the mating connector M is disengaged. If the structure is such that the detection member stands by at the position right behind the lock arm and goes straight forward to the position just below the lock protrusion, the movement stroke of the detection member and the dimension in the front-back direction become large, and by extension, the standby position. The amount of protrusion of the detection member in the rearward direction from the connector housing becomes large. However, in this embodiment, since the detection member 20 is displaced in an arc shape, the lock projection 14 approaches the lock projection 14 not from the rear but from the side. Therefore, the detection member 20 does not have to largely project rearward from the connector housing 10 at the standby position.

[Other Embodiments] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. In addition to the above, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

(1) In the above embodiment, the detection member is hidden under the lock arm when moved to the detection position. However, according to the present invention, the detection member is exposed from the lock arm even at the detection position. You may do it. (2) In the above-described embodiment, the detection member is supported by the shaft support means. However, according to the present invention, arc-shaped ribs and groove-shaped guides are formed in the connector housing, and the detection member is displaced while slidingly contacting the guides. You may allow it.

(3) The position of the arc center of the displacement path of the detection member, the standby position, and the detection position can be set variously by changing the amount of protrusion from the rear surface of the connector housing, the positional relationship with the lock arm, and the like. Is. (4) In the above embodiment, the bending space of the lock arm is set between the lock arm and the upper surface of the connector housing so that the detection member is hidden by the lock arm at the detection position. The arm may be elastically bent upward or laterally so that a bending space is set upward or laterally so that the detection member remains exposed even at the detection position.

(5) In the above embodiment, the detection member and the lock arm may have different colors. In this case, it is possible to more clearly identify whether or not the detection member is hidden behind the lock arm, so that the workability of fitting detection is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a rear view showing a state in which a detection member is in a standby position in Embodiment 1.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a state in which both connectors are in the middle of fitting.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which both connectors are properly fitted.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where both connectors are half-fitted.

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway plan view showing a state in which a detection member is in a standby position.

FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway plan view showing a state in which a detection member is at a detection position.

FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway plan view showing a state in which the detection member has detected half-fitting of the connector.

FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway plan view of a state in which a detection member is at a detection position in Embodiment 2.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a detection member is in a standby position in a conventional example.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a detection member is at a detection position in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

M ... Mating connector F ... Connector 10 ... Connector housing 11 ... Lock arm 13 ... Deflection space 15 ... Stepped receiving part 19 ... Axial support means 20 ... Detection member

Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-6-151009 (JP, A) JP-A-10-199622 (JP, A) JP-A-10-125382 (JP, A) Actual Kaihei 4-66784 (JP , U) Actual Kaihei 4-72573 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01R 13/639-13/645

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A connector housing is provided with a lock arm and a detection member, and the lock arm and the connector are in the middle of fitting with a mating connector.
Extend into the bending space provided between the housing and the outer surface.
In addition to elastically bending, the lock arm elastically returns to normal fitting and locks in the mating state by locking with the mating connector, and further, the detection member waits outside the bending space of the lock arm. In the case where the fitting state is detected by displacing from the position to the detection position in the bending space, the detection member is provided along the outer surface of the connector housing.
The connector is characterized in that it is displaced along the arc-shaped path between the standby position and the detection position. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the detection member is supported by the connector housing by a shaft support means. 3. The center of the arc of the displacement path of the detection member is set to the side of the bending space, and the standby position is behind the center of the arc and protrudes from the connector housing. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connector is set. 4. A state in which the lock arm is provided along an outer surface of the connector housing, the flexure space is provided between the lock arm and the connector housing, and the lock arm is displaced to the detection position. 4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the detection member is hidden by the lock arm. 5. The lock arm has a cantilevered shape, and a surface of the extended end facing the bending space is recessed in a step shape so as to avoid interference with the connector housing during bending operation. In addition, the stepped receiving portion is formed in the recessed portion, and when the detecting member attempts to enter into the bending space with respect to the lock arm in the elastic bending state, The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the detection member abuts against the stepped receiving portion in the middle of the entry to restrict further entry. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the detection position is arranged at a position corresponding to an engaging portion with the mating connector when the lock arm elastically bends. The connector described in Crab.