JP4554307B2 - connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector that is mounted on, for example, an automobile, has a locking mechanism when fitting housings, and includes a confirmation unit that can confirm complete fitting between housings.

  A conventional connector used for electric wiring of an automobile, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, includes a means for coupling and releasing a pair of housings that house connection terminals. Locking means such as an inertia lock and a click lock for locking and holding the fully-fitted state of the coupling is provided to ensure the complete fitting of the coupling. In the coupling operation, the connector is confirmed to be completely fitted by a sound associated with the elastic engagement or the feeling of fingers with this lock structure.

JP 2003-157931 A

  In recent years, automobile manufacturers are promoting the adoption of high voltage and current for hybrid systems, air conditioners, etc. as measures to improve fuel efficiency. However, these high voltage and current circuits cause half-fitting and erroneous release of energizing connectors. In such a case, a spark is generated at the contact point of the contact, and the spark temperature at that time is also increased.

  In addition, the complete fitting confirmation of the conventional connector largely depends on the operator's feeling such as inertia lock, click lock and the like as described above. There is also a possibility that the risk of unintentional connector release will occur. In order to avoid this, there is a strong demand for a mechanism that allows workers and third parties to easily confirm the guarantee of complete fitting.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a connector that solves the above-mentioned problems and prevents incomplete fitting by allowing a third party to visually confirm from the outside.

In order to achieve the above object, a connector according to the present invention is provided with a locking lever for locking the first and second housings in the second housing, and is engaged with a locking rod at the tip of the locking lever. A locking claw to be mated is provided in the first housing, and the first and second housings in which the locking levers of the locking lever are engaged with the locking claw are locked by a slide holder. A connector that can confirm the fully fitted state by visually observing the position of the slide holder , wherein the slide holder is attached to the second housing so as to be movable back and forth along a guide; Before the second housing is fitted, the slide holder is prevented from advancing by a first stopper attached to the locking lever, and the first housing is fitted by fitting the first and second housings together. A fixed cam contact provided on the slide moves the control arm of the slide holder to release the locking by the first stopper , and the tongue piece protruding forward by the advance of the slide holder in the fully fitted state by fixing the movement of the locking lever by being inserted presses the locking lever to said first housing side between the peripheral wall and the locking lever of the second housing lock of the completely fitted state In addition , it is possible to visually confirm that the slide holder is at an appropriate movement position.

  According to the connector according to the present invention, the state of the checking means can be confirmed by visual observation when it functions at the time of complete fitting, and the state is locked and it is guaranteed that the state is completely fitted.

  The invention will be described in detail according to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a state before mating between a plug-type first housing 1 and a socket-type second housing 2 coupled to each other, and FIG. 2 shows a state after both housings 1 and 2 are completely mated. Show. Both housings 1 and 2 are made of a synthetic resin material, and the corresponding male and female electrical connection terminals are housed inside.

  The first housing 1 has a plug portion 12 projecting forward from the flange portion 11, and a locking claw 13 is projected on the plug portion 12 at an appropriate location near the flange portion 11 in the center portion. A pair of left and right fixed cam contacts 14 project from the right and left positions of the locking claw 13 near the plug end. In addition, insertion connection terminals are built in the plug portion 12, and their connection ends 15 protrude from the rear portion of the flange portion 11. Note that a bolt hole 16 for fixing the first housing 1 to a panel or the like is formed in the flange portion 11.

  A slide holder 21 that mechanically locks and secures the fully fitted state is attached to the upper surface of the second housing 2, and this slide holder 21 is completely fitted between the housings 1 and 2 by a mechanism that will be described later. Only in the state, as shown in the state of FIG. 1 from the state of FIG. 1, the second housing 2 can be advanced to an appropriate movement position.

  A socket portion 22 is formed in the front half of the second housing 2 so as to be fitted with the plug portion 12 of the first housing 1 and into which the receiving connection terminal is inserted. An insertion hole 23 for receiving is formed. A central portion of the upper surface of the peripheral wall 24 surrounding the socket portion 22 bulges upward, and a wide reverse concave groove 25 is formed inside the bulged portion. A pair of left and right upright walls 26 are erected on the upper surface of the rear half of the second housing 2 so as to be connected to the rear of the concave groove 25. Further, a rectangular notch 27 that allows the slide holder 21 to enter is formed at the rear edge portion of the bulging portion of the peripheral wall 24, and a semicircular recess 28 is provided at the back of the notch 27.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view in which the slide holder 21 is removed and a part of the peripheral wall 24 is cut away. The reverse concave groove 25 and a central portion in the standing wall 26 are formed in a substantially long plate shape for locking the first housing 1. The locking lever 29 is supported in a seesaw state with a pair of left and right support columns 30 in the middle in the front-rear direction as fulcrums. A locking rod 31 is formed at the front end of the locking lever 29, and the pressing operation end 32 at the rear end is supported by a pair of left and right elastic pieces 33 so that the horizontal posture of the locking lever 29 is maintained. It has become.

  A pair of claw-shaped left and right first stoppers 34 that prevent the slide holder 21 from moving forward are provided in the middle part of the front half of the locking lever 29 so as to protrude on both sides with the inclined surface facing the front side, and the front half is provided on the upper surface. A second stopper 35 that prevents the slide holder 21 from moving forward when the slide holder 21 is raised is provided with its inclined surface facing forward. A pair of left and right horizontal guide rails 36 for slidably mounting the slide holder 21 is formed on the inner surfaces of the pair of left and right standing walls 26, and a pair of left and right retaining stoppers 37 are provided at the rear ends of the horizontal guide rails 36. Is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the slide holder 21 has a lateral width adapted to the inner width of the upright wall 26, and a pair of left and right horizontal guide strips 21a are formed on both side surfaces. The horizontal guide rail 36 of the wall 26 is slidably fitted in the front-rear direction.

  A pair of left and right control arms 21b that elastically deform in the left-right direction protrude from the lower step portion of the front surface of the slide holder 21 toward the front. A pair of left and right inward abutting claws 21 c that abut against the first stopper 34 of the locking lever 29 and restrict the forward movement of the slide holder 21 are formed in the upper half of the tip portions of both control arms 21 b. . In addition, in order to release the abutment of both abutting claws 21c by bending both control arms 21b outward and elastically deforming them, a fixed cam of the plug portion 12 is provided at the lower half portion of the tip portions of both control arms 21b. The contactor 14 is formed with a pair of left and right triangular cams 21e each having an inwardly tapered cam surface 21d in contact therewith.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the abutting claw 21c and the triangular cam 21e are formed inward, and the control arm 21b is pushed outward by the triangular cams 21e. 1 is separated from the stopper 34. However, both the triangular cams 21e and the two abutting claws 21c are formed outwardly, and the first stopper 34 of the locking lever 29 is also disposed corresponding to the position, so that the control arm 21b A similar action may be obtained by being narrowed in the direction.

  Further, the slide holder 21 has a tongue piece 21f corresponding to the second stopper 35 of the locking lever 29 projecting forward from the middle step on the front surface, and the front half of the locking lever 29 is raised. Further, the tip of the tongue piece 21f abuts against the second stopper 35 so that the advance of the slide holder 21 is restricted. Furthermore, the same semicircular convex part 21g which fits into the concave part 28 of the notch part 27 protrudes from the center of the front surface of the upper stage part of the slide holder 21 to the front.

In a state before the first and second housings 1 and 2 are coupled to each other, the slide holder 21 is retracted to the rear part of the second housing 2 as shown in FIG. In this state, as shown in FIG. 5, both abutting claws 21 c of the control arm 21 b abut against the first stopper 34 of the locking lever 29, and the slide holder 21 cannot advance.
Here, when the first and second housings 1 and 2 are fitted, the fixed cam contacts 14 of the plug portion 12 are connected to the cam surface of the triangular cam 21e in the control arm 21b of the slide holder 21, as shown in FIG. 21d, respectively. Further, when the fitting of the first and second housings 1 and 2 is advanced, both the fixed cam contacts 14 and both the triangular cams 21e slide, both control arms 21b are pushed outward, and both collisions occur. The claw 21c is disengaged from the first stoppers 34 on both sides, and the slide holder 21 can advance.

When the fitting further proceeds and the housings 1 and 2 are completely fitted together, in which the plug portion 12 of the first housing 1 and the socket portion 22 of the second housing 2 are fitted together, the lock is formed as shown in FIG. The locking rod 31 at the front end of the locking lever 29 gets over and engages with the locking claw 13 of the plug portion 12 against the elasticity of the elastic piece 33. This complete fitting can also be confirmed by hearing by clicking means. That is, when the locking lever 31 of the locking lever 29 gets over the locking claw 13, it makes a “click” sound, and when it is insufficient and inappropriate, it does not make this sound.

  In this fully fitted state, as shown in the sectional view of FIG. 7, the connection terminals 41 and 42 housed in the first and second housings 1 and 2 are fitted to each other, and the electrical connection of the connector A connection is made.

When the slide holder 21 is moved forward in this completely fitted state, the tongue piece 21f is brought into contact with the upper surface of the second stopper 35 of the locking lever 29 and the inner surface of the bulging portion of the peripheral wall 24 of the second housing 2 as shown in FIG. To prevent the seesaw movement of the locking lever 29 and to engage the locking claw 13 in the first housing 1 and the locking rod 31 of the locking lever 29 engaged therewith. Lock state. In this case, the slide holder 21 cannot move naturally due to contact with the surrounding members, and the slide holder 21 exhibits the original complete fitting guarantee function in the complete fitting between the housings 1 and 2.
In addition, even if the slide holder 21 moves forward, if it is released from the first stopper 34 and the fitting state is incomplete, the tip of the locking lever 29 rides on the locking claw 13, and the tongue piece 21f The leading end abuts against the second stopper 35 and the slide holder 21 cannot advance further.

When the slide holder 21 is exerted the original full engagement assurance function to move forward, because the slide holder 21 is moved to the proper movement position, to each other and the convex portion 21g and the concave portion 28 as shown in FIG. 2 The completion of advancement of the slide holder 21 is displayed by fitting, and this complete fitting state can be confirmed visually.

  Further, even when the housings 1 and 2 are fitted together, the locking lever 31 of the locking lever 29 is not fully engaged yet and the locking lever 31 is pushed up by the locking claw 13. Since the second stopper 35 is also raised with the rise of the front half, even if the slide holder 21 is advanced, the tip of the tongue piece 21f abuts against the second stopper 35, and the slide holder 21 advances to the proper movement position. Inability to display the slide holder 21 indicating insufficient advancement.

  Further, when the fitted first and second housings 1 and 2 are separated from each other, the slide holder 21 is retracted by pushing it back strongly, and the lock by the slide holder 21 is released. Next, the push-down operation end 32 at the rear end of the lock lever 29 is pushed down against the elasticity of both elastic pieces 33 to raise the front half of the lock lever 29, so that the front end of the lock lever 29 If the locking rod 31 is disengaged from the locking claw 13 of the plug portion 12 of the first housing 1 and the housings 1 and 2 are separated from each other, the state shown in FIG.

  Note that there may be a plurality of pairs of the convex portion 21g and the concave portion 28 that are fitted to each other. Further, the shape is not limited to a semicircular shape, and a triangular shape, a square shape, and other appropriate shapes can be selected. Further, various methods other than the embodiment can be adopted for confirming the movement of the slide holder 21.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a main part of the second embodiment, showing another example of confirming the movement of the slide holder 21, and the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment represent the same members.

  A projection 21h having a trapezoidal cross section in the front-rear direction is provided on the tongue piece 21f of the slide holder 21, and the convex portion 21g is not formed. On the other hand, two strip grooves 17 and 17 are cut into the back of the notch 27 of the socket portion 22 of the first housing 1 in parallel to the front-rear direction, and a flexible piece 18 is formed therebetween. . The flexible piece 18 is provided with a hole 19 corresponding to the protrusion 21 h of the slide holder 21.

  Note that a slope is formed on the lower surface of the front end of the flexible piece 18 so that the flexible piece 18 can be easily lifted by the slope of the protrusion 21h of the slide holder 21, as shown in FIG. Also, when the protrusion 21h is pulled out rearward, it is inclined so that it can be easily pulled out.

  In such a configuration, when the slide holder 21 is advanced as shown in FIG. 11, the protrusion 21 h comes into contact with the flexible piece 18 and lifts the flexible piece 18. When the slide holder 21 is further advanced as it is, the protrusion 21h is fitted into the hole 19, and the flexible piece 18 is restored to the original position.

  When the projection 21h is fitted into the hole 19, it is possible to visually confirm that the projection 21h is inserted into the hole 19 while making a “click” sound. In particular, if the color of the slide holder 21 is different from the colors of the first and second housings 1 and 2, the visual confirmation is further facilitated.

  In order to move the slide holder 21 backward when the first and second housings 1 and 2 are dissociated, when the slide holder 21 is pushed backward strongly, the rear edge of the protrusion 21h lifts the flexible piece 18, Since the fitting between the projection 21h and the hole 19 is released, the lock of the slide holder 21 with respect to the locking lever 29 can be released as in the first embodiment.

It is a perspective view of the state where the housings of Example 1 were separated. It is a perspective view in the state where housings were combined. It is the perspective view which notched a part of 2nd housing of the state which removed the slide holder. It is a perspective view of a slide holder. It is the perspective view which notched a part of 2nd housing. It is the perspective view which notched a part of the perfect fitting state of housings. It is sectional drawing just before advancing the slide holder in a perfect fitting state. It is the perspective view which advanced the slide holder in a perfect fitting state. 6 is a perspective view of a second housing of Embodiment 2. FIG. It is principal part sectional drawing of a socket part. It is the perspective view which advanced the slide holder in the perfect fitting state of housings.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st housing 2 2nd housing 12 Plug part 14 Fixed cam contact 17 Strip groove 18 Flexible piece 19 Hole part 21 Slide holder 21b Control arm 21c Colliding claw 21e Triangular cam 21f Tongue piece 21g Convex part 21h Protrusion 22 Socket portion 27 Notch portion 28 Recess portion 29 Locking lever 31 Locking rod 34, 35 Stopper

Claims (5)

A locking lever for locking the first and second housings is provided in the second housing, and a locking claw for engaging a locking rod at the tip of the locking lever is provided in the first housing; the locking the first locking hook we are engaged with the locking pawl of the lever, a completely fitted state between the second housing lock by the slide holder, the full by viewing the position of the slide holder A connector capable of confirming a fitting state , wherein the slide holder is attached to the second housing so as to be movable back and forth along a guide, and the slide holder is fitted before the first and second housings are fitted. Advancement is prevented by a first stopper attached to the locking lever, and a fixed cam contact provided on the first housing by the fitting of the first and second housings controls the slide holder. The control arm is moved to release the locking by the first stopper, and the tongue piece protruding forward by the advance of the slide holder in the fully fitted state is between the peripheral wall of the second housing and the locking lever. The locking lever is pressed against the first housing and the movement of the locking lever is fixed to lock the fully-fitted state , and the slide holder is in an appropriate movement position. Which can be confirmed by the visual inspection. In an incompletely fitted state between the first and second housings, a second stopper attached to the locking lever to move the slide holder forward to the proper movement position locks the tip of the tongue piece. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector is blocked . The slide holder is fitted together between the front surface of the slide holder in the forward direction and the facing surface of the second housing facing the front surface as the slide holder advances to the proper movement position in the fully fitted state. the connector according to claim 1 or 2 projections and recesses provided, confirmed by the visual observation is characterized in that by fitting between the concave and the convex portions. The slide holder is fitted together between the front surface of the slide holder in the forward direction and the facing surface of the second housing facing the front surface as the slide holder advances to the proper movement position in the fully fitted state. the connector according to claim 1 or 2 projections and the hole provided, confirmed by the visual observation is characterized in that by fitting between the hole and the protrusion for. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in the fully-fitted state, a sound is generated when a locking rod of the locking lever gets over the locking claw .

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