JP4075708B2 - connector - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connector.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, what was described in following patent document 1 is known as an example of the connector provided with the lock arm for hold | maintaining a male and female housing in a fitting state. In this case, the female housing is provided with a cantilevered lock arm that can be elastically tilted, whereas the male housing is provided with a hood portion into which the female housing can be fitted. Is provided with a locked hole into which the lock projection of the lock arm can enter and be locked.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-188041
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the case where the cantilevered lock arm is provided as the lock mechanism as described above, since the lock arm is tilted with the base end side as a fulcrum, the lock projection of the lock arm and the locked hole A certain amount of clearance must be set between both locking surfaces. However, if this is done, both housings rattle back and forth due to external vibrations and the like, and as a result, there is a risk that the contact parts of both terminal fittings will be worn away.
The present invention has been completed based on the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to suppress rattling of both connector housings.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As means for achieving the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is that, among the pair of connector housings that can be fitted to each other, one connector housing is provided with a locked portion, whereas the other connector is provided. The housing is provided with a lock arm that is displaceable between a natural state and a tilted state that is elastically tilted from the natural state. A locking portion capable of holding the two connector housings in a fitted state by being locked to the locked portion when the locking portion and the locking portion are both locked. The surface is provided with an abutting portion that abuts each other in a state in which the two connector housings are properly fitted, and the lock arm is provided on at least one of the two locking surfaces. The has been escaping portion is provided to allow the displacement between the tilting state and natural state, the a locked portion and the locking portion, when the two connector housings are fitted to normal, the locking surface The surfaces opposite to each other can be brought into contact with each other, and both side surfaces can be brought into contact with each other, so that the locked portion and the lock portion are opposed to each other in a state where both the connector housings are properly fitted. Both peripheral surfaces (including the locking surface, the opposite surface, and both side surfaces) abut on the abutting portion with almost no gap, but from the abutting portion to the tilted state from the natural state It is characterized in that the gap is formed so that the clearance between the two peripheral surfaces becomes larger toward the displacement direction side of the lock portion when reaching the position .
[0006]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the lock portion is formed in a square hole shape that penetrates the lock arm in the displacement direction, and the two connector housings are properly fitted. The locked portion is inserted into the lock portion, and the locked portion is formed in a truncated pyramid shape in which an outer peripheral surface facing the inner peripheral surface of the lock portion is inclined to form a taper shape. It has the characteristics in the place.
[0007]
[Action and effect of the invention]
<Invention of Claim 1>
By providing the relief portion on the locking surface, the lock arm is allowed to be displaced between the natural state and the tilted state when the two connector housings are fitted and detached. In a state in which both connector housings are properly fitted, the lock arm is in a natural state and the lock portion is locked to the locked portion, so that both connector housings can be held in the fitted state. . At this time, since the abutting portions on the locking surfaces of the locked portion and the locking portion are in contact with each other, it is possible to prevent the two connector housings from shaking in the fitting / detaching direction from the normal fitting state.
It is possible to further prevent the connector housings from rattling in the fitting / removing direction.
It is possible to prevent the two connector housings from shaking in the direction intersecting with the fitting / removing direction. And since the contact area of a to-be-locked part and a lock part increases, both frictional resistance, ie, holding | maintenance force, can be increased.
[0008]
<Invention of Claim 2>
When the two connector housings are properly fitted, the truncated pyramid-shaped locked portion enters the rectangular hole-shaped locking portion.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, male and female connector housings 10 and 20 that can be fitted to each other are provided, and a lock arm 30 is provided on the side of the female connector housing 20 (hereinafter simply referred to as female housing 20). A locked portion 13 that can be locked to the lock arm 30 is provided on the side of the male housing 10. In the following, the fitting surface side of both housings 10 and 20 will be referred to as the front, and the vertical direction will be described with reference to FIG.
[0010]
The male housing 10 is made of a synthetic resin formed integrally with the device, and includes a substantially rectangular tube-shaped hood portion 11 protruding forward as shown in FIG. The terminal housing portion 21 of the female housing 20 can be fitted with the cylindrical portion 22 outside the hood portion 11. A tab-shaped male terminal fitting 12 that protrudes forward is provided from the rear surface of the hood portion 11. On the upper surface of the hood portion 11, a locked portion 13 that can be locked by the lock arm 30 on the female housing 20 side is provided so as to protrude upward. The locked portion 13 will be described in detail later.
[0011]
The female housing 20 is made of synthetic resin, and has a structure in which a terminal accommodating portion 21 that can accommodate the female terminal fitting 25 and a cylindrical portion 22 that forms a substantially rectangular tube shape surrounding the terminal accommodating portion 21 are connected. A fitting recess 23 into which the hood portion 11 of the male housing 10 can be fitted is formed between the terminal accommodating portion 21 and the cylindrical portion 22 so as to open forward. The terminal accommodating portion 21 is provided with a cavity 24 into which the female terminal fitting 25 can be inserted from behind. The female terminal fitting 25 includes a connection portion 25a having a substantially box shape provided with a mountain-shaped elastic contact piece 25c capable of elastic contact with the male terminal fitting 12, and an electric wire W having a rubber plug 26 fitted to the end of the covering. A barrel portion 25b that is pressure-bonded together with the rubber plug 26 is provided at the front and rear. The rubber plug 26 can be sealed in the cavity 24 by being in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cavity 24. On the lower surface side of the cavity 24, there is provided a lance 27 capable of retaining the female terminal fitting 25 by being locked to a jaw portion 25d formed at the rear end of the connection portion 25a. The lance 27 is formed in a cantilever shape, and can be bent and deformed in a lower bending space by being pressed by the female terminal fitting 25 at the time of insertion. Around the terminal accommodating portion 21, a front retainer 28 that can enter the bending space of the lance 27 and restrict the deformation of the lance 27 is covered from the front. A seal ring 29 is fitted to the rear side of the front retainer 28 on the outer peripheral surface of the terminal accommodating portion 21, and this seal ring 29 is sandwiched between the terminal accommodating portion 21 and the hood portion 11 when fitted. As a result, the housings 10 and 20 can be sealed.
[0012]
The cylindrical portion 22 is connected to the terminal accommodating portion 21 at a position closer to the rear than the center in the length direction. And the lock arm 30 is formed by notching the upper part of this cylinder part 22 to a predetermined shape. The lock arm 30 is formed in a seesaw shape including an arm portion 31 extending in the front-rear direction and a support portion 32 that supports a substantially central portion in the length direction of the arm portion 31 and is connected to the terminal accommodating portion 21. Yes. The lock arm 30 is between a natural state in which the arm portion 31 is substantially horizontal (FIG. 1) and a tilted state in which the arm portion 31 is elastically tilted from the natural state with the support portion 32 as a fulcrum (center) (FIG. 2). It is possible to displace. In the process in which the lock arm 30 reaches a natural state or a tilted state, each part of the lock arm 30 is displaced so as to draw a substantially arc-shaped locus with the support portion 32 as a fulcrum (center) ( (See dashed line in FIG. 3). A lock portion 33 having a rectangular square hole opening in the vertical direction is provided on the front side of the support portion 32 in the arm portion 31, and the locked portion 13 on the male housing 10 side is provided in the lock portion 33. The two housings 10 and 20 can be held in a fitted state by entering and engaging both. At this time, the rear surface 13a of the locked portion 13 and the front surface 33a of the lock portion 33 which are locked to each other are used as locking surfaces. The inner peripheral surfaces 33a to 33c of the lock portion 33 are all straight and face straight along the vertical direction (see FIGS. 1 and 5). Further, on the upper surface side of the rear end portion of the arm portion 31, an operation portion 34 capable of releasing the lock arm 30 from above is formed in a stepped shape.
[0013]
Here, the locked part 13 will be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the locked portion 13 is formed in the shape of a square truncated pyramid, and the outer peripheral surfaces 13 a to 13 c are inclined over the entire height region and formed in a tapered shape. ing. Since the length dimension and the width dimension of the locked portion 13 at the lower end portion 13d (protruding base end portion) are set substantially the same as the length dimension and the width dimension of the locking portion 33, the outer peripheral surface The lower end portion 13d of 13a to 13c can be brought into contact with the lower end portion 33d of the inner peripheral surfaces 33a to 33c of the lock portion 33 over the entire circumference. That is, the locked portion 13 and the lower end portions 13d and 33d of the lock portion 33 are contact portions that can contact each other. Since the outer peripheral surfaces 13a to 13c of the locked portion 13 are formed in an inclined shape as described above, the inner peripheral surface of the lock portion 33 gradually increases in the state of entering the lock portion 33 as it goes upward. It is separated from 33a-33c. As described above, the outer peripheral surfaces 13a to 13c of the locked portion 13 and the inner peripheral surfaces 33a to 33c of the lock portion 33 that are opposed to each other abut at the lower end portions 13d and 33d with almost no gap, but from the lower end portions 13d and 33d to the upper end. The gap formed between the two peripheral surfaces is set to increase toward the side.
[0014]
More specifically, the rear surface 13a of the locked portion 13 which is a locking surface and the lower end portions 13d and 33d of the front surface 33a of the lock portion 33 are brought into contact with each other so that the fitted housings 10 and 20 cannot be detached. It can be held. The rear surface 13a of the locked portion 13 has an upward slope over the entire height range, and the upper portion 13e is lower than the lower end portion 13d and the lower end portion of the front surface 33a of the lock portion 33 as the lock arm 30 tilts. It is formed so as to escape ahead of the 33d displacement trajectory (shown by the broken line in FIG. 3). That is, the upper portion 13e of the rear surface 13a of the locked portion 13 with respect to the lower end portion 13d serves as a relief portion. Thereby, the movement which the lock arm 30 displaces between a natural state and a tilting state is permitted. The front surface 13b of the locked portion 13 has an upward slope toward the rear, and the inclination angle is substantially the same as that of the rear surface 13a. The front surface 13b can guide the operation of the lock arm 30 riding on the locked portion 13 during fitting. Since the lower end portion 33d of the rear surface 33b of the lock portion 33 can be brought into contact with the lower end portion 13d of the front surface 13b of the locked portion 13, both the housings 10 and 20 are moved in the front-rear direction (fitted state).・ It is now possible to regulate rattling in the direction of departure. Both side surfaces 13c in the width direction of the locked portion 13 can be brought into contact with the lower end portions 33d of the both side surfaces 33c of the lock portion 33 so that both housings 10 and 20 are fitted in the width direction (fitting). It is possible to regulate the rattling of the direction that intersects (or intersects) the direction of separation / combination.
[0015]
The present embodiment has the above-described structure, and the operation thereof will be described subsequently. When the hood portion 11 of the male housing 10 is fitted to the fitting recess 23 of the female housing 20 to a predetermined depth, the front end portion (the front portion of the lock portion 33) of the lock arm 30 is locked as shown in FIG. While riding on the portion 13 while being guided by the front surface 13b, the lock arm 30 is elastically deformed and displaced from the natural state to the tilted state. At this time, the lock arm 30 draws a substantially arc-shaped trajectory with the support portion 32 as a fulcrum, with the front portion of the arm portion 31 being higher than the support portion 32 and the rear portion being lower than the support portion 32. It is displaced while.
[0016]
When the housings 10 and 20 are fitted to the normal depth, the male terminal fitting 12 is brought into elastic contact with the elastic contact piece 25c of the female terminal fitting 25 and the front end of the lock arm 30 as shown in FIG. When the part gets over the locked part 13 and the front surface of the lock part 33 reaches the same position as the rear surface of the locked part 13, the lock arm 30 is restored to the natural state. As the lock arm 30 is restored, the locked portion 13 enters the lock portion 33, and as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the outer peripheral surfaces 13 a to 13 c of the locked portion 13 and the lock portion 33 are The lower ends 13d and 33d of the peripheral surfaces 33a to 33c are in contact with each other over the entire circumference.
[0017]
Specifically, at this time, the rear surfaces 13a of the locked portion 13 and the lower end portions 13d and 33d of the front surface 33a of the lock portion 33 are brought into contact with each other, so that both the housings 10 and 20 are held in a non-detachable state from the normal fitted state. . At the same time, the front surface 13 b of the locked portion 13 and the lower end portions 13 d and 33 d of the rear surface 33 b of the lock portion 33 are in contact with each other, and on the front and rear surfaces 13 a and 13 b of the locked portion 13 and the front and rear surfaces 33 a and 33 b of the lock portion 33. Since there is almost no gap between the lower end portions 13d and 33d, it is possible to prevent the housings 10 and 20 from rattling back and forth as much as possible even when subjected to an impact such as vibration from the outside. Furthermore, the housings 10 and 20 can be prevented from rattling in the width direction by the lower end portions 13d and 33d of both side surfaces 13c and 33c of the lock portion 13 and the lock portion 33 coming into contact with each other. As described above, since the locked portion 13 and the lower end portions 13d and 33d of the lock portion 33 are in contact with each other over the entire circumference, a sufficient contact area between the both can be ensured. Thereby, the frictional resistance generated between the locked portion 13 and the lock portion 33, that is, the holding force of both the housings 10 and 20 is sufficiently secured. Further, in the normal fitting state, the seal ring 29 is brought into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the terminal accommodating portion 21 and the inner peripheral surface of the hood portion 11 in a sandwiched state, whereby the seal between the housings 10 and 20 is taken.
[0018]
On the other hand, the housings 10 and 20 may be detached due to maintenance or other reasons. In that case, the operation unit 34 of the lock arm 30 is pressed from above to forcibly displace the lock arm 30 from the natural state to the tilt state indicated by the imaginary line in FIG. At this time, the rear surface 13a of the locked portion 13 is released forward from the displacement locus (shown by the broken line in FIG. 3) of the lower end portion 33d of the front surface 33a of the lock portion 33 when the lock arm 30 is tilted and displaced. Therefore, the lock arm 30 can be elastically deformed smoothly without hindrance. Then, when the lock arm 30 is tilted to a height at which the lock portion 33 is completely removed from the locked portion 13, the female housing 20 is pulled away from the male housing 10, so that both the housings 10 and 20 are detached.
[0019]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the lower surfaces 13d and 33d of the rear surface 13a of the locked portion 13 and the front surface 33a of the lock portion 33 which are locking surfaces in a state where both the housings 10 and 20 are properly fitted. The upper portion 13e of the lower end portion 13d of the rear surface 13a of the locked portion 13 is inclined so as to escape from the displacement locus of the lower end portion 33d of the front surface 33a of the lock portion 33. Further, rattling of the front and rear of the housings 10, 20 that are properly fitted while allowing the tilting displacement operation of the lock arm 30 can be suppressed.
[0020]
Moreover, since the front surface 13b of the locked portion 13 and the lower end portions 13d and 33d of the rear surface 33b (the surface opposite to the locking surface) of the lock portion 33 can be brought into contact with each other, both the housings 10 and 20 can be brought into contact with each other. Shaking back and forth can be further suppressed. Furthermore, since the lower end portions 13d and 33d of the side surfaces 13c and 33c of the lock portion 13 and the lock portion 33 can be brought into contact with each other, the housings 10 and 20 can be prevented from rattling in the width direction. In addition, since the contact area between the locked portion 13 and the lock portion 33 increases, the frictional resistance between them, that is, the holding force, can be increased.
[0021]
<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention, and further, within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention other than the following. Various modifications can be made.
(1) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the rear surface of the locked portion is an inclined surface has been described, but conversely, the front surface of the lock portion may be an inclined surface. Specifically, the rear surface of the locked portion is made to face straight along the vertical direction, and the front surface of the locking portion is formed into an inclined surface that forms an upward slope toward the rear, and during normal fitting, What is necessary is just to make it contact | abut an upper end part with the upper end part of the rear surface of a to-be-locked part. Further, both the rear surface of the locked portion and the front surface of the lock portion may be inclined surfaces.
[0022]
(2) Further, it is not necessary to incline the rear surface of the locked portion over the entire height region. For example, the lower end side may face the predetermined height and other portions may be inclined surfaces.
( 3 ) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the lock portion has a hole shape and the locked portion has a projection shape has been shown, but conversely, the lock portion may have a projection shape and the lock portion may have a hole shape. Moreover, it is good also as concave shape besides hole shape.
[0023]
( 4 ) In the above embodiment, the seesaw-shaped lock arm is shown, but the present invention is also applicable to a cantilevered lock arm in which the front end or the rear end of the arm is supported by the support, for example. Is possible.
( 5 ) Contrary to the above-described embodiment, the present invention includes a configuration in which a lock arm is provided on the male housing side and a locked portion is provided on the female housing side.
( 6 ) In the above-described embodiment, the waterproof connector is exemplified, but the present invention can also be applied to a non-waterproof type connector.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a state before fitting both housings according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a state in the middle of fitting both housings. FIG. 4 is a partial plan view showing a state where the locked part is locked to the lock part of the lock arm. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. Explanation】
10 ... Male housing (one connector housing)
13: Locked portion 13a: Rear surface (locking surface)
13d ... Lower end (contact portion)
13e ... Upper part (relief part)
20: Female housing (the other connector housing)
30 ... Lock arm 33 ... Lock part 33a ... Front (locking surface)
33d ... Lower end (contact portion)

Claims (2)

Of the pair of connector housings that can be fitted to each other, one connector housing is provided with a locked portion, while the other connector housing is in a tilted state that is tilted elastically from the natural state. The lock arm is displaceable between the two connector housings, and both the connector housings are engaged with the locked portions when the two connector housings are properly fitted and brought into the natural state. Is provided with a lock portion that can be held in a fitted state,
Both locking surfaces of the locked portion and the locking portion are provided with contact portions that contact each other in a state in which the two connector housings are properly fitted, and at least one of the both locking surfaces An escape portion is provided that allows the lock arm to be displaced between the natural state and the tilted state ;
When the two connector housings are properly fitted to each other, the locked portion and the lock portion can be brought into contact with each other on the opposite side to the locking surface, and both sides can be brought into contact with each other. ,
In a state in which both the connector housings are properly fitted, both peripheral surfaces of the locked portion and the lock portion facing each other (including the locking surface, the opposite surface, and the both side surfaces) are Although the abutting portion comes into contact with almost no gap, the gap between the two circumferential surfaces increases from the abutting portion toward the displacement direction side of the lock portion when moving from the natural state to the tilted state. Connector characterized by being . The lock part is formed in a square hole shape that penetrates the lock arm in the displacement direction, and when the two connector housings are properly fitted, the locked part is inserted inside thereof. 2. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the locked portion is formed in a truncated pyramid shape in which an outer peripheral surface facing the inner peripheral surface of the lock portion is inclined to form a tapered shape .

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