JPH031791B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mating locking mechanism for an electrical connector, and more particularly to a mating locking mechanism for an electrical connector having a conductive connector case.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Recently, electronic devices including computers and precision electronic circuits are required to be protected against electrostatic damage. In particular, precision electronic circuits including ICs, LSIs, etc. are prone to malfunctions due to electrostatic interference, or even destruction of the circuit itself. Therefore, as a method for protecting electrical connectors from such problems, there has been a conventional method as shown in FIG. That is, the plug connector 15 connects a cable 30 having a shielded wire 31 and a lead wire 32, and the plug connector 15 has a plug unit 16 having a contact at its tip, and a plug unit 16 at the rear of the plug unit 16. The plug case 17 is made of a metal material, and the receptacle connector 20 is attached to the housing of the electronic device 40 and has a receptacle unit 21 containing contacts at its tip. A receptacle case 22 made of metal is constructed behind the plug unit 21.

As a preventive measure against electrostatic interference in the electrical connector configured as described above, in the plug connector 15, the shield wire 3 of the cable 30 is
Connect the lead wire 33 connected to the plug case 17 to the plug case 17.
The receptacle connector 20, which is a mating connector, is connected to the housing of the electronic device 40 by pulling it out from the inside to the outside and connecting it to the housing of the electronic device 40, to which a receptacle connector 20, which is a mating connector, is attached, using screws 45 or the like. Further, the shield wire 31 of the cable 30 is reliably electrically connected to the plug case 17.

On the other hand, the receptacle case 22 of the receptacle connector 20 also connects the electronic device 40 with the lead wire 42.
electrically connected securely to the housing. Note that reference number 41 is an electronic circuit connected to the contacts of the receptacle connector 20. With such a configuration, even when a person who has accumulated static electricity touches the plug connector 15 and connects it to the receptacle connector 20, the static electricity flows from the plug case 17 to the shield wire 31 and further to the lead wire 33. Since the electrolyte flows into the casing of the electronic device 40 and is grounded, the electronic circuit 41 of the electronic device 40 is not affected in any way.

In addition, there have been various conventional locking mechanisms for locking the connected state of connectors, but it is easy to assemble and disconnect by simply fitting the locking body into the connector case. As a thing,
A shaftless mechanism without a shaft support has been proposed.
An example of this is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 53-47580, and its schematic structure is shown in Figure 10 of the attached drawings.
It was as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the locking body, FIG. 11 is a cutaway front view showing the locking body attached to the connector cover, and FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line -- in FIG. 11.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, this conventional shaftless connector coupling and locking mechanism includes a locking body 1, and one end of this locking body 1 has a hook-shaped engaging portion 2. is formed, and a pressing portion 3 is formed at the other end. Elastic pieces 4, 4' made of a flexible material are provided on both sides of the locking body 1. As shown in the figure, these elastic pieces 4, 4' are the same body as the locking body 1, and are weaker than the locking body 1, that is, formed to have a narrow width to provide elasticity. A reinforcing strip 5 is formed on the body 1 side to make it more rigid than the elastic pieces 4, 4'. The connector cover consists of two split cases 6 and 6', and grooves 7 and 7' are formed in these cases 6 and 6', respectively, into which the tips of the elastic pieces 4 and 4' are inserted. When each locking body 1 is assembled into such cases 6, 6' by inserting the tips of the elastic pieces 4, 4' of the locking body 1 into the grooves 7, 7', the engagement The portion 2 faces the hook portions 8, 8' formed on the other side of the connector, and the pressing portion 3 is attached facing the window portion 9 of the case 6, 6'. Now, in FIG. 11, the pressing part 3
When pressed and pushed into the window 9, the elastic pieces 4, 4'
Since the distal end portion of is inserted into the groove portions 7, 7', it is bent between this inserted portion and the connecting portion 10, 10', so that the portion of the engaging portion 2 is bent into the pressing portion 3.
The connectors can be operated in the opposite direction to disengage from the latching portions 8, 8' and release the connection between the connectors.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, such conventional electrical connectors have the following problems. That is,
In the conventional example shown in FIG.
is constantly connected to the electronic device 40 by the lead wire 33, so the electronic device 40 and the plug connector 15 cannot be completely separated both electrically and mechanically, making handling extremely inconvenient. In particular, when trying to connect the plug connector 15 to another receptacle connector 20, loosen the screws 45 one by one, remove the lead wires 33, and attach them to the screws of the other receptacle connector before connecting the plug connector to the other receptacle connector. This creates the hassle of doing so. Further, when the plug receptacle 10 is pulled out from the receptacle connector 20, that is, when the connector is not in use, the lead wire 33 attached to the housing 40 hangs the plug connector 10 and the cable 30. The weight of the lead wire 33 is applied to the lead wire 33, and the lead wire 33 is stretched by the weight, and the core wire of the lead wire is gradually damaged and eventually is completely cut off, resulting in no longer being electrically conductive. This will also cause some inconvenience.

Further, although the coupling and locking mechanism of the connector shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 is easy to assemble and engage/disconnect, The part 2 is assembled in the front opening side of the two-part case 6, 6', and the engaging part 2 is free in the locking direction (left and right direction in FIG. 11), and is particularly free inward. Since there is no detent, there is a possibility that it may be bent or biased inward by some external force. Alternatively, when mating with a mating connector, there is a risk that the engaging part 2 will be deformed if the engaging part 2 and the engaging parts 8, 8' of the mating connector collide violently or if the engaging part 2 is forcibly inserted or pulled out. There is. If the engaging portion 2 is bent, biased, or deformed in this way, the coupling and locking function as a connector will be impaired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a coupling and locking mechanism for an electrical connector that can overcome the problems of the prior art as described above.

Means for Solving the Problems According to the present invention, one electrical connector has an insulating housing part in which contacts are disposed and a conductive connector case surrounding the insulating housing part; In a locking mechanism for coupling with another electrical connector having a housing, a locking body is attached to extend between the insulating housing part and the connector case on at least one side of the one electrical connector; a first connecting body for protecting the locking body and electrostatic hazard protection provided on the insulating housing portion side inside the locking body; and the locking body and the first connecting body of the insulating housing of the other electrical connector. and a second connecting body provided along the corresponding side, and the locking body is made of an elastic material and has a locking part at the front end, a pressing part at the rear end, and a fulcrum part at the middle part. The pressing portion can be pressed from outside the connector case, and the fulcrum portion is held between the connector case and the insulating housing portion, and when the pressing portion is pressed, the fulcrum portion is held between the connector case and the insulating housing portion. The locking portion is adapted to be elastically deflectable outwardly from the side surface, and the first connecting body is configured such that:
It is formed of a conductive material and can be electrically connected to the connector case, and is located in front of the tip of the contact disposed in the insulating housing part and inside the locking part of the locking body. and a protective part for mechanically protecting the locking body and limiting the deviation thereof, and further, the protective part allows the locking part of the locking body to face inwardly from the locking body. The second connecting body is formed of a conductive material and can be grounded, and the tip of the front end thereof is located near the tip of the contact disposed in the insulating housing, and further, A locking portion is formed at the front end to engage with the locking portion of the locking body to lock the electrical connectors together.

Function In the coupling and locking mechanism of the electrical connector of the present invention as described above, the first connecting body for protecting the locking body and protecting against static electricity is located inside the locking body and is located at the locking portion of the locking body. By controlling inward deviation and mechanically protecting the locking portion, deformation of the locking portion is prevented, and when connecting one electrical connector to the other, the protective portion at the tip and As the tips of the front ends of the second connecting bodies of the other electrical connector approach each other before the contacts approach each other, static electricity to one electrical connector flows through the second connecting body of the other electrical connector to the ground. This protects the connection circuit of the contacts against electrostatic disturbances.

Embodiments Next, the present invention will be described in more detail with respect to embodiments of the present invention based on FIGS. 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a state before fitting of a plug connector and a receptacle connector to which a coupling and locking mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. In this embodiment, plug connector 1
00 mainly includes a male insulating housing part 110 in which a male contact is arranged, and a pair of plug cases 120 that constitute a conductive shield case surrounding this male insulating housing part 110.
The plug case 120 includes a male insulating housing portion 11
They are assembled around the male insulating housing part 110 by being sandwiched from both sides of the housing 1 and then tightened and fixed using the screws 121.

On the other hand, the receptacle connector 200 mainly consists of a female insulating housing 2 in which male contacts are arranged.
10, and a receptacle case 2 constituting a conductive shield case surrounding this female insulating housing.
It is equipped with 20. The receptacle case 220 of this receptacle connector is attached and fixed to a housing (not shown) of an electronic device using screws or the like.
It is designed to be connected to earth.

In the plug connector 100, the plug connector 10 is further provided on both sides of the male insulating housing portion 110.
A male connecting fitting 130 is attached as a first connecting body for making a ground connection before connecting the contacts to each other when the receptacle connector 200 and the receptacle connector 200 are connected. Furthermore, the male insulating housing part 11
On both sides of the connector 0, locking fittings 140 are provided on the outside of the connecting fittings 130 as locking bodies for engaging and locking the connecting mechanism of a mating connector.
Moreover, this locking fitting 140 is attached to the plug case 120.
A grounding plate 150 is disposed on both side walls of the male insulating housing part 110, which is sandwiched and assembled between the upper case and the lower case, and a part of this grounding plate 150 is attached to the plug case 120 and the male insulating housing part 110. The ground 1
The other part of the plug casing 50 is located on the side wall of the male insulating housing 110 and is exposed outside the plug case 120.

Similar to the plug connector 100, the receptacle connector 200 has second connecting bodies on both sides of the female insulating housing 210 for grounding before connecting the contacts to each other when the plug connector 100 and the receptacle connector 200 are engaged. A female connecting fitting 230 is attached. This female connecting fitting 230 is in contact with the receptacle case 220 at its rear portion, and is electrically connected and can be grounded.

Next, first, the male connecting fitting 130 and the locking fitting 140
2 and 3 regarding the female connection fitting 230.
This will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. Second
Figures A, B, and C are examples of the male connecting fitting 130, and are respectively a plan view, a front view, and a side view;
3A, B, C and 4 are 1 of the locking fittings 140.
This is an example, and FIGS. 3A, B, and C show the locking fitting 140
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the locking fitting 140. Figure 5 A, B and C are female connecting fittings 140
, and are a plan view, a front view, and a side view, respectively.

Male fitting 1 as well shown in Figure 2.
Reference numeral 30 has a spring property formed by integrally punching out from a metal fitting sheet. The leading end of the male connecting fitting 130 is tapered to introduce the tip of a mating female connecting fitting 230, which will be described later, and has an introduction portion 13 that is bent outward.
1, and immediately below the introduction part 131 is an opening 132 that is a square hole and constitutes a protective part for receiving a locking part 142 of a locking fitting 140, which will be described later.
are provided below the opening 132 and on the left and right outer sides of the opening 132 for elastic press-fit engagement with the metal fitting insertion holes 114 (see FIG. 7) provided on both sides of the insulating housing body 111. Projection 133
is provided. In addition, this male connection fitting 1
A portion slightly below the middle of 30 engages with a rear pull-out locking step 115 (see FIG. 7) provided in the metal fitting insertion hole 114 of the insulating housing main body 111 to prevent the male fitting from coming out rearward. A rear locking portion 134 is provided to prevent this from happening. In addition, a metal fitting insertion hole 1 is provided at the rear end of this male connection fitting 130.
The front slip-off locking step 116 (the first
Front detachment prevention shoulder portion 13 for engaging with the male connecting fitting 130 (see figure) to prevent the male connection fitting 130 from coming off forward.
5 and the locking step 111 (see FIG. 7) on the side of a cable holding plate (not shown) that is combined with the insulating housing main body 111 and the insulating holding housing (not shown). A locking portion 136 is provided for locking.

Next, as clearly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the locking metal fitting 140 is integrally formed by punching and bending a metal fitting sheet material with spring properties, and the upper part of the locking metal fitting 140 is A pressing portion 141 is formed which is bent into a substantially U-shape, and has a locking portion 142 at its lower portion and a fulcrum portion 143 at an intermediate portion between the pressing portion 141 and the locking portion 142 . This fulcrum part 143 has tongue-shaped fulcrums 143' extending downward on both outer sides thereof, and this tongue-shaped fulcrum 143'
3' is the fulcrum recess 128 of the plug case 120.
(See FIG. 8) and is held between two halves of the plug case 120. On the back side of the pressing part 141, this pressing part 1 is arranged around the tongue-shaped fulcrum 143'.
Elastic tongues 141' are formed to shift the locking portions 141 outward and the locking portions 142 inward. In this state,
When the pressing part 141 is pressed inward against the deflection force of the elastic tongue piece 141', the locking part 142 shifts outward about the tongue-like fulcrum 143' and locks the mating connector. I'm starting to get left out of the club. or,
The locking metal fitting 140 is provided with a reinforcing strip 144 at the center in the plate width direction from below the pressing part 141, and the plate width is narrowed below the fulcrum part 143 in the intermediate part. The front end (lower part) of the reinforcing strip 144 is bent inward.
The locking portion 14 is protruded from the outside to the inside.
2 is formed. Furthermore, a stopper part 145 is provided on the back side (inward direction) of the presser part 141 .
When 41 is pressed inward, plug case 1, which will be described later
Wall portion 12 constituting 20 locking metal clamping grooves 125
6 to prevent further inward movement of the pressing portion 141.

The connector case 120 is divided into two parts, and the locking metal fittings 140 are held between the two sides of the connector case as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Locking metal fitting 1
A locking fitting holding groove 125 for receiving the locking fitting 140 is provided, and the tip of the elastic tongue piece 141' of the locking fitting 140 is brought into contact with the inside of this locking fitting holding groove 125 to prevent the locking fitting 140 from moving inward. A wall portion 126 is provided, and a window portion 127' for causing the pressing portion 141 of the locking fitting 140 to protrude outward from the side wall surface 127 of the case 120 is provided. Furthermore,
A fulcrum recess 128 is formed at a position corresponding to the fulcrum part 142 of the locking fitting 140 to receive the side of the fulcrum part 142. The locking metal fittings 140 are fitted into the locking metal fitting holding grooves 125 on both sides of one case 120 formed in this manner, and the other case 120 is attached and assembled. Then, the pressing part 141 is released from the windows 127' on both sides of the connector 120.
is visible and can be pressed by the operator's finger.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are a plan view, a front view, and a side view, respectively, showing an example of a female connecting fitting having an L-shaped rear end. This female connection fitting 2
30, like the male connection fitting 130, is integrally punched and formed from a metal fitting sheet having spring properties. This female connecting fitting 230 has a locking opening 231 at its front end that constitutes a locking part for engaging with the locking part 142 of the locking fitting 140 described above.
is provided. Furthermore, just below this locking opening 231, the case 220 is engaged with the engagement step 221 (see FIG. 1) of the receptacle case 220.
A case locking portion 232 is provided for locking the case. This case locking portion 232 is connected to the case 22
It also functions as a contact part that makes conductive contact with 0. Furthermore, the intermediate portion of the female connecting fitting 230 is fitted with a locking step 215 (see FIG. 1) of the connecting fitting insertion hole 214 of the insulating housing body 211, similar to the aforementioned male connecting fitting 130. A rear locking portion 233 is provided to prevent the female connecting fitting 230 from coming off backward. The rear end of this female connection fitting 230 is L-shaped, and fitting insertion holes 21 on both sides of the insulating housing body 211 are provided.
A front slip-off prevention shoulder portion 234 that engages with a front slip-off locking step portion 216 (see FIG. 1) provided at the front slip-off locking step portion 216 (see FIG. 1) provided at A locking portion 235 is provided for engaging and locking a locking stepped portion on a side portion of a cable holding plate (not shown) or the like that is combined with a holding housing (not shown). At the tip of the L-shape at the rear end, a board fixing leg part 236 is provided for inserting into a hole in the board and attaching and fixing the board.

As clearly shown in FIG. 1, a printed circuit board (not shown) is attached below the receptacle connector 200 provided with such female connecting fittings 230 on both sides. Further, as described above, the receptacle connector 200 is attached and fixed to the housing of the electronic device at the front or rear of the receptacle case 220 with screws or the like.

The plug connector 100 and receptacle connector 200 (first
If a statically charged person holds the plug connector 100 when engaging the plug connector 100 (see figure), the plug connector 100 will be charged with static electricity. As shown in the enlarged partial view of connector 200, contacts 1 on the plug connector side
15A and receptacle connector contact 2
15A, the tip of the male connection fitting 130 of the plug connector and the tip of the female connection fitting 230 of the receptacle connector approach each other, so that the static electricity charged in the plug receptacle is
A spark or the like flows from the male connecting fitting 130 to the female connecting fitting 230 to the receptacle connector, and then flows from the receptacle case to the housing of the electronic device as ground.

Furthermore, even if the receptacle connector is coupled to the receptacle connector in a violent collision manner, or even if the connector is forcibly connected and pulled out, the locking portion 142 of the locking fitting 140 will not fit into the opening 132 of the male connecting fitting 130. Since the locking portion 142 is fitted and inserted to protect the inward movement of the locking portion 142 and the surrounding area of the locking portion 142, deformation of the locking portion 142,
This protects against bending, deflection, etc.

Effects of the Invention The above-mentioned coupling and locking mechanism for an electrical connector of the present invention has the following effects compared to conventionally known techniques.

(1) Due to the mutual operation of the male connecting fitting 130 and the female connecting fitting 23, there is no need for an external connection by a lead wire as a protection against electrostatic interference in the coupling of the plug connector and the receptacle connector.
The plug connector and receptacle connector can be completely separated, and furthermore, the plug connector can be connected not only to a specific receptacle but also to other receptacle connectors, so it can be used as needed. Switching between connectors becomes possible.

(2) Furthermore, since there is no hassle of connecting lead wires to the outside of the plug connector, it can be handled in the same way as a normal plug connector.
While the connector has a protective function against static electricity, it can be freely moved to another storage location when the connector is not in use.

(3) The male connecting fitting 130 is also disposed immediately inside the locking metal fitting 140 provided on the side surface of the plug connector, and prevents the locking portion of the locking metal fitting 140 from moving inward. Furthermore, it also serves to prevent deformation of the locking portion due to external collisions.

Therefore, even if the mating connector is mated in a violent collision, or even if the mating connector is connected or pulled out while prying it, or even if an external force is applied to the latching part of the latching fitting, the latching part will not be deformed, bent, or deflected.

(4) Since only one member of the male connecting fitting 130 performs the two functions of protecting the locking body and protecting against electrostatic damage, the locking function itself can be made inexpensive without being complicated.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partially broken perspective view showing a state before mating of a plug connector and a receptacle connector to which a coupling and locking mechanism is applied as an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2A, B, and C are A and B are respectively a plan view, a front view, and a side view of the male connecting fitting used in the plug connector shown in the figure, and a plan view and a front view, respectively, of the locking fitting used in the first plug connector. C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in Figure 3B;
The figure is a perspective view of the locking fitting in Fig. 3, Fig. 5 A, B, and C are plan, front, and side views of the female connecting fitting used in the receptacle connector of Fig. A partially enlarged view showing the relationship between the male connecting fitting and the female connecting fitting immediately before the plug connector and receptacle connector in Fig. 1 are connected, and Fig. 7 shows the attachment of the male connecting fitting and the locking fitting in the plug connector in Fig. 1. Partially enlarged view showing the condition, No. 8
The figure is a partially enlarged view showing the attachment part of the locking fitting of the plug case of the plug connector in Figure 1, Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a conventional connector mechanism with protection against electrostatic damage, and Figure 10 is FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an example of a locking body in a conventional locking mechanism for locking the coupled state of connectors.
FIG. 12 is a cutaway front view showing an example of a conventional connector using the locking body shown in FIG. 100...Plug connector, 110...Male insulating housing part, 115A...Contact, 120
... Plug case, 125 ... Locking metal clamping groove,
127'...window part, 128...fulcrum recessed part, 130
...Male connection fitting, 131...Introduction part, 132...
Opening part, 140... Locking metal fitting, 141... Pressing part, 142... Locking part, 143... Fulcrum part, 14
3'...tongue-shaped fulcrum, 200...receptacle connector, 210...female insulating housing, 215A...
...Contact, 220...Receptacle case,
230... Female connection fitting, 231... Latch opening, 2
36... Board fixing leg.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. One electrical connector 100 having an insulating housing part 110 in which contacts 115A are arranged and a conductive connector case 120 surrounding the insulating housing part, and an insulating housing 210 in which contacts 215A are arranged. a locking body 140 attached to extend between the insulating housing portion and the connector case on at least one side of the one electrical connector; , a first connecting body 130 for protecting the locking body and electrostatic hazard protection provided on the insulating housing part side inside the locking body, and the locking body and the first connection of the insulating housing of the other electrical connector. a second connecting body 2 provided along the side corresponding to the body;
30, the locking body is made of an elastic material and has a locking part 142 at the front end and a pressing part 14 at the rear end.
1. It has a fulcrum part 143 in the middle part, the pressing part can be pressed from outside the connector case, and the fulcrum part is located between the connector case and the insulating housing part. the first connector is formed of a conductive material and is configured to be able to elastically deflect outward from the side surface when the pressing portion is pressed; is capable of being electrically connected to the case, and is located forward of the tip of the contact disposed in the insulating housing portion to limit inward displacement of the locking portion of the locking body; It has a protection part 132 for mechanical protection, and furthermore, the protection part is adapted to allow the locking part of the locking body to face inward from the locking body, and the protection part is adapted to allow the locking part of the locking body to face inwardly from the second connection. The body is made of a conductive material and can be grounded, and the tip of the front end of the body is located near the tip of the contact disposed in the insulating housing, and the front end is provided with the engagement member. A locking mechanism for connecting electrical connectors, characterized in that a locking portion 231 is formed to engage with the locking portion of the stopper body to lock the electrical connectors together. 2. The electrical connector coupling and locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the locking body is conductive and electrically connected to the connector case. 3. The pressing portion of the locking body is exposed to the outside through a window provided on a side surface of the connector case,
3. The electrical connector coupling and locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the fulcrum portion is installed in a groove provided inside the connector case. 4 The protective portion of the first connection body includes the second
4. A coupling and locking mechanism for an electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein a taper is provided to guide insertion of the front end of the connector into the inside. 5. The second connecting body is electrically connected to the conductive connector case when the conductive connector case to be grounded is provided around the insulating housing. Fourth
Coupling locking mechanism of the electrical connector according to any of paragraphs.