JP2002359031A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To enable confirmation of whether or not a slider has properly reached an advanced position even when a connector fitting operation is performed by groping. SOLUTION: When a slider 40 is driven forward and backward, a cam action between a cam groove 44 and a follower pin 17 causes both housings 10 and 20 to be fitted / removed. The position where the connecting plate 42 of the slider 40 abuts on the side surface 20A of the female housing 20 is the forward position, and a concave portion 70 is formed in the connecting plate 42, while the side surface 20A of the female housing 20 is formed.
Is formed with a projection 72 that fits into the recess 70. When the pushing operation of the slider 40 is completed, the vicinity of the concave portion 70 of the connecting plate 42 is touched and viewed by hand. If it is pushed to the forward position, the protrusion 72 is fitted into the concave portion 70, and a feeling that the protruding surface 72A and the outer surface 42A of the connecting plate 42 are flush is obtained. If the slider 40 remains short of the forward position, the concave portion 70 has a feeling that it is still concave.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector which is engaged and disengaged via a cam mechanism.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an example of this type of connector, a slider type connector as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,407 is known. In this connector, a slider having a cam groove is provided on one of a pair of connector housings fitted together so as to be able to advance and retreat in a direction intersecting the fitting direction, and the other connector housing is engaged with the cam groove. A matable follower pin is provided, and the follower pin is displaced along the cam groove as the slider advances and retreats, so that both connector housings are fitted and disengaged.

[0003]

However, in this type of connector, especially at the end of fitting of the two connector housings, a corresponding resistance is applied when the slider is pushed, so that the pushing operation may be stopped halfway. . On the other hand, depending on the location of the connector, there is a case where the fitting operation must be performed in a state where it cannot be visually observed, that is, in a groping state, and at that time, the slider is not pushed into the regular forward position as described above. In such a case, it is difficult to detect this, and there is a possibility that the slider may be left in a so-called half-inserted state. The present invention has been completed on the basis of the above-described circumstances, and has as its object to confirm whether or not the slider has properly reached the forward-moving position even when the connector fitting operation is performed by groping. It is in the place to be.

[0004]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a cam groove is provided in one of a pair of connector housings fitted to each other. A slider is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat in a direction intersecting with the fitting direction, and the other connector housing is provided with a follower pin that can be engaged with the cam groove, and the follower pin is attached to the cam groove as the slider advances and retreats. The connector is configured such that the two connector housings are fitted and disengaged by being displaced along the slider. A portion is set, a concave portion is formed in this detection portion, and the one connector housing is Serial slider characterized in was configured to projection to be fitted is formed so as to fill the recess when reaching the forward position.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the slider has an operation portion at one end thereof, and is drawn rearward into a slider insertion passage formed in the one connector housing. The retracted position and the operating portion is movably mounted between a forward position in which the operating portion is pushed until the operating portion abuts against a side surface of the one connector housing, and the concave portion is formed in the operating portion,
It is characterized in that the protrusion is formed on the contact surface of the one connector housing.

[0006]

<Operation and effect of the present invention><Invention of claim 1> If the slider has reached the normal forward position, the protrusion is buried in the concave portion, and if the slider remains short of the forward position, the concave portion is still concave. It is in a state. Therefore, even when the fitting operation is performed in a state where the slider cannot be seen, it is possible to accurately detect whether or not the slider has reached the normal forward position by checking the state of the concave portion by putting a hand on the detection portion. <Invention of claim 2> The slider is pushed into the slider insertion passage by the operating portion, and then the state is checked by putting a hand on the concave portion provided in the operating portion, thereby determining whether the slider has reached the normal forward position. Can be detected and it is easy to use.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment,
FIG. 1 illustrates a connector of a type that assists in fitting and disengaging by utilizing a lever function of a slider. As shown in FIGS.
0 (hereinafter referred to as a male housing) and a female connector housing 20 (hereinafter referred to as a female housing).
A slider 40 is mounted on the female housing 20.

The male housing 10 is made of synthetic resin,
As shown in FIG. 3, the main body 1 has a horizontally long block shape.
1 has a small hood portion 12 protruding from the front surface. From the back surface of the small hood portion 12 of the male housing 10, four large male terminals 14 </ b> L shown in the figure are arranged in a lattice shape and protrude from the inner surface of the small hood portion 12 at the right end when viewed from the front, and are provided in the remaining region. In the figure, 14 male terminals 14S are protruded in three stages in rows of 14 shown in the figure.

The female housing 20 is also made of synthetic resin, and as shown in FIG.
A large hood portion 22 that can be fitted outside the small hood portion 12 is provided around a flat tower portion 21 that can be fitted into the small hood portion 12. Cover portions 23 are formed at predetermined intervals on the upper surface and the lower surface of the large hood portion 22, respectively.
An insertion passage 24 through which a sliding plate 41 of a slider 40 described later is inserted is formed between the upper and lower surfaces of the slider 2. The insertion passage 24 is open on both left and right sides, while both front and rear sides are closed.

As shown in FIG. 4, a large female terminal 26 is provided in the above-mentioned tower portion 21 at the left end area as viewed from the front.
L (see a chain line in the figure) are formed in a lattice-like arrangement corresponding to the large male terminals 14L, and four small cavities 27L are accommodated in the remaining areas.
Small cavity 27S in which S (see chain line in FIG. 2) is accommodated
Are formed in three rows in rows of fourteen so as to correspond to the small male terminals 14S. On the bottom surface of the large cavity 27L, a large lance 28L that is primarily locked to the large female terminal 26L is provided so as to be flexibly deformable.
On the ceiling surface of the small cavity 27S, a small lance 28S that is primarily locked to the small female terminal 26S is provided so as to be able to bend and deform. On the right side as viewed from the front of the tower section 21,
As shown in FIG. 6, a retainer insertion port 30 is opened, and a retainer 31 that double-locks the large and small female terminals 26L and 26S can be inserted.

That is, the retainer 31 is connected to the retainer insertion port 3
0, the locking projection 32 (small female terminal 26S
FIG. 2 shows the corresponding cavities 27L, 2
7S is held at the temporary locking position retracted to the near side, and in this state, the female terminals 26L and 26S are
When the lances 28L and 28S are inserted into the L and 27S and pushed into a predetermined position, they are primarily locked by the lances 28L and 28S. Subsequently, when the retainer 31 is further pushed in and held at the final locking position, the locking projection 32 is moved to the corresponding cavity 27.
L, 27S and enters the cavities 27L, 27S.
The female terminals 26L, 26S inserted into the S are double-locked in a retaining state.

A slider 40 is mounted on the female housing 20. The slider 40 is made of a synthetic resin like the female housing 20, but is formed of a synthetic resin material of a color different from that of the female housing 20. The slider 40 is, as shown in FIGS.
A pair of sliding plates 41 are formed in a gate shape in which the base ends thereof are connected to each other by a connecting plate 42, and both sliding plates 41 are inserted into the upper and lower insertion passages 24 of the female housing 20 while either of the right and left side surfaces are inserted. It is designed to be plugged in from. Both sliding plates 41
Is formed with a cam groove 44. The cam groove 44 extends from the leading end of the sliding plate 41 to the center in the length direction, and is formed in an inclined shape gradually inclined toward the rear edge in the width direction. The starting end 44A of the cam groove 44 is formed with a slightly steep slope, and an inlet 45 opened at a right angle to the front edge of the sliding plate 41 is continuously provided at the starting end 44A.

On the other hand, on the male housing 10 side, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. A follower pin 17 that can be fitted is set up at 44. As shown in FIG. 4, a through hole 47 that allows the follower pin 17 to enter is opened in the front plate 24 </ b> A of the upper and lower insertion passages 24 in the female housing 20, as shown in FIG. 4.

A grip portion 50 used for inserting and removing the slider 40 is set on the outer surface on the base end side of the two slide plates 41 of the slider 40, and one grip portion 50 is provided in FIGS. 9 and 10. As shown, the lock piece 52 can be flexed and deformed.
Are formed, and the tip is a lock claw 53. on the other hand,
For example, the left and right ends of the upper and lower cover portions 23 in the female housing 20 are, for example, left end portions as viewed from the front. As shown in FIG. An escape groove 55 for fitting and releasing the portion 50 is formed, and an escape groove 55A into which the lock piece 52 can enter is formed in one lower cover portion 23, as shown in FIG. 8, provided that the escape groove 55A is provided. A lock hole 56 is formed at the distal end of the lock piece 52 so that the lock claw 53 of the lock piece 52 fits into the lock hole 56. The right end is formed upside down from the left end.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the two sliding plates 41 of the slider 40 are provided at positions substantially corresponding to the center in the longitudinal direction of the cam groove 44 and at positions closer to the trailing edge. A temporary lock piece 57 is formed. This temporary lock piece 57
The sliding plate 41 protrudes in a cantilever shape toward the base end side and can be flexibly deformed. A protruding portion 58 is formed on the outer surface side of the protruding end. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the cover portion 23 of the female housing 20 is formed with a long groove 60 at a central portion in a longitudinal direction at a position along the rear edge. The protruding portion 58 of the temporary lock piece 57 can be freely fitted into the long groove 60, and the front side is closed at both ends in the length direction. As shown in FIG. 7, a locking hole 61 into which the projection 58 of the temporary lock piece 57 falls is formed.

The slider 40 is inserted, for example, through the insertion passage 24 of the female housing 20 from the left side in FIG. 1, and the protrusion 58 of the temporary lock piece 57 is engaged with the locking hole 61 in the long groove 60 at the left edge of the left side in FIG. , The slider 40 is held at the retracted position. In the retracted position, the entrance 45 of the cam groove 44 is aligned with the through hole 47 of the female housing 20, as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the position where the connecting plate 42 is pushed down until it hits the left side surface 20A of the female housing 20 is the forward position. In this forward position, as shown in FIG.
The lock hole 56 is adapted to be locked. The slider 40 is connected to the right side 2 of the female housing 20.
The same operation as described above is exhibited even when the camera is mounted from the 0B side, and thus redundant description is omitted. In other words, it is possible to select the direction in which the slider 40 is easily inserted or the like depending on the arrangement position of the connector.

The upper and lower covers 23 of the female housing 20 are provided with confirmation windows 65 for confirming whether or not the slider 40 is properly at the retracted position. The confirmation window 65 is formed in a rectangular shape as shown in FIG.
The cover 23 is formed at a position slightly before the above-described long groove 60 and at the center in the longitudinal direction of the cover 23. And
Only when the slider 40 is in the retracted position,
(1) Edge portion 6 at the back of start end 44A of cam groove 44
7 is set so as to face the entire surface of the confirmation window 65 and, before the retracted position, a part of the cam groove 44 faces the confirmation window 65. This is the same when the slider 40 is mounted from the right side.

Further, a means is provided for detecting whether or not the slider 40 has reached the forward position by touching the hand. Therefore, the connecting plate 42 of the slider 40
As shown in the figure, a vertically long concave portion 70 is cut out and formed at the center height position on the back edge side. On the other hand, on the left and right side surfaces 20A and 20B of the female housing 20,
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a protrusion 72 that fits into the recess 70
Are formed. The protrusion height of the protrusion 72 is set to be substantially equal to the thickness of the connecting plate 42. Therefore, the slider 40 reaches the forward position, that is, the connecting plate 42 of the slider 40 is placed on the left or right side of the female housing 20. At the time of abutment, as shown in FIG. 15, the protrusion 72 is fitted into the recess 70, and the protrusion surface 72A of the protrusion 72 and the outer surface 42A of the connecting plate 42 are flush with each other.

This embodiment has the above-described structure,
Subsequently, the operation will be described. On the female housing 20 side,
The female terminals 26L, 26S are inserted into the cavities 27L, 27S, respectively, and are retained by the retainer 31 in such a manner that the female terminals 26L, 26S are prevented from falling out. At the same time, the slider 40 is mounted on the female housing 20 in advance. The slider 40 is inserted into the insertion passage 24 from the left side surface 20A side of the female housing 20, for example, and is pushed to the forward position at a stretch. As shown in FIG. 8, the lock claw 53 of the lock piece 52 is elastically fitted into the lock hole 56 and is held at the forward position.

The female housing 20 is carried into a fitting work site with the male housing 10 with the slider 40 mounted at the forward position. Then, both housings 10, 20
Prior to fitting, the slider 40 is returned to the retracted position. In that case, the upper and lower grip portions 50 of the slider 40
(One is the lock piece 52) and grip it with your fingers,
When the lock piece 52 is bent inward and deformed, the lock claw 53 is formed.
Is released from the lock hole 56 and the lock is released. Therefore, the slider 40 is pulled while holding the grip portion 50. During this time, the temporary lock piece 57 returns along the long groove 60 and the protrusion 58
When the pulling is stopped at the position where the slider 40 has fallen into the locking hole 61, the slider 40 is held in the retracted position shown in FIG.

Here, the user checks the confirmation window 65 to confirm whether the slider 40 has been properly returned to the rear end position.
If the slider 40 has returned to the rear end position, the sliding plate 41
The edge 67 of the cam groove 44 faces the entire surface of the confirmation window 65. In particular, since the color of the sliding plate 41 is different from that of the cover 23, the entire surface of the confirmation window 65 is different from the surrounding area. It looks as if the slider 40 has been properly returned to the rear end position. On the other hand, if the cam groove 44 is not returned to the retracted position, a part of the cam groove 44 faces the confirmation window 65 as shown in FIG. To confirm that the slider 40 has not been returned to the retracted position. Then, the slider 40 may be pulled back to the retracted position.

When the slider 40 is properly returned to the retracted position, the male housing 10 is fitted into the large hood portion 22 of the female housing 20, as shown by the arrow in FIG. Accordingly, the follower pin 17 on the male housing 10 side is
When the male housing 10 is pushed into the inlet 45 of the cam groove 44 through the inner wall 7 and the male housing 10 is further pushed in, as shown in FIG. 13, the follower pin 17 is moved to the rear side edge of the start end portion 44A (upper side edge in FIG. By pressing, the slider 40 moves a predetermined dimension toward the forward position according to the inclination. As a result, the follower pin 17 enters the cam groove 44, and the follower pin 17
The male housing 10 is prevented from coming off by being hooked on the side edge on the near side of 4A.

Subsequently, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 13, the slider 40 is pushed toward the forward position. FIG. 1
As shown in FIG. 4, the male housing 10 is gradually pushed into the female housing 20 mainly by the front edge of the cam groove 44 pressing the follower pin 17. Slider 4
When 0 is pushed to the forward position, as shown in FIG. 15, the follower pin 17 also moves to the terminal end 44B of the cam groove 44, whereby the male and female housings 10, 20 are properly fitted. When the slider 40 is pushed to the forward position, as described above, the lock claws 53 of the lock pieces 52 are fitted into the lock holes 56 and locked in a locked state (see FIG. 8), and the two housings 10 and 20 are simultaneously mounted. Are locked in the proper fitting state.

Here, in order to detect whether or not the slider 40 has been properly pushed into the forward position, the user touches the outer surface 42A side of the connecting plate 42 of the slider 40, particularly near the position of the concave portion 70 by hand. If the slider 40 has been pushed to the forward position, as shown in FIG.
Side projection 72 fits into the recess 70 of the connection plate 42 of the slider 40, and the projection surface 72A of the projection 72 should be flush with the outer surface 42A of the connection plate 42. If one touch is obtained, it is detected that the slider 40 has been pushed to the forward position. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 16, if the slider 40 remains short of the forward position, the projecting surface 72A of the projecting portion 72
When the concave portion 70 is touched without touching the concave portion 70, a feeling of depression is obtained, and it is detected that the slider 40 is not properly pushed to the forward position. Then, the slider 40 may be pushed again to touch the vicinity of the concave portion 70 to confirm that the surface is flush.

In order to release the engagement between the housings 10 and 20, when the grip portion 50 of the slider 40 is gripped from the state shown in FIG. 15, the lock piece 52 is bent and deformed to release the lock. The slider 40 is pulled. Then, the male housing 10 is gradually pushed out in a direction away from the female housing 20 by mainly pressing the follower pin 17 at the side edge on the back side of the cam groove 44. Slider 4
0 is retracted to the retracted position, the follower pin 17 is returned to the entrance 45 of the cam groove 44. Subsequently, when the male housing 10 is pulled, the follower pin 17
The male housing 10 can be detached from the female housing 20 while being pulled forward through 7.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
Even when the two housings 10 and 20 are engaged with each other in a state where they cannot be visually observed, the user pushes the slider 40 and touches the vicinity of the position where the concave portion 70 of the connecting plate 42 is formed.
It is accurately detected whether or not the slider 40 has reached the normal forward position by checking by touching whether the protrusion 72 is buried in the inside and is flush or the recess 70 is still in a recessed state. be able to.

<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, various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. (1) In the above embodiment, the slider can be mounted from either the left or right side. However, only one of the sliders may be mounted, and such a slider is also included in the technical scope of the present invention. (2) The slider may be mounted on the male housing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a male and female housing before fitting according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a male housing.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the female housing.

FIG. 5 is a plan view thereof.

FIG. 6 is a side view thereof.

FIG. 7 is a rear view thereof.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view thereof.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the slider.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof.

FIG. 11 is a side view thereof.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the female housing in a state where the slider has not reached the retracted position.

FIG. 13 is a partially cutaway plan view showing an initial fitting state of the male and female housings.

FIG. 14 is a partially cutaway plan view showing the fitting process.

FIG. 15 is a partially cutaway plan view showing the fitting completed state.

FIG. 16 is a partially cutaway plan view showing a state where the slider has not reached the forward position.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Male housing 17 ... Follower pin 20 ... Female housing 20A, 20B ... (Left and right) side surface (contact surface) 24 ... Insertion passage 40 ... Slider 41 ... Sliding plate 42 ... Connecting plate (operation part: detection Part) 42A ... outer surface (of connecting plate 42) 44 ... cam groove 70 ... recess 72 ... protrusion 72A ... protrusion surface (of protrusion 72)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Keiichi Ito 1 Toyota Town, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture Inside Toyota Motor Corporation (72) Inventor Masanori Wakui 1 Toyota Town, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture Inside Toyota Motor Corporation F term (reference) 5E021 FA05 FA10 FA14 FA16 FB10 FB30 FC09 FC31 FC36 FC38 HA03 HB02 HB05 HB15 HC06 KA02 KA03 MA28

Claims (2)

[Claims] A slider having a cam groove is provided in one of a pair of connector housings fitted to each other so as to be able to advance and retreat in a direction intersecting the fitting direction, and the other connector housing is provided. A follower pin engageable with the cam groove is provided, and the follower pin is displaced along the cam groove as the slider advances and retreats, so that the two connector housings are fitted and disengaged. In the slider, a detection portion is set at a position exposed from the one connector housing when the slider reaches a forward position, a recess is formed in the detection portion, and the one connector housing is formed. Is fitted so as to fill the recess when the slider reaches the forward position. Connector, characterized in that the part is formed. 2. The slider according to claim 1, wherein the slider has an operating portion at one end thereof, and a retracted position drawn rearward with respect to a slider insertion passage formed in the one connector housing; It is mounted so as to be movable between an advanced position where it is pushed in until it abuts against the side surface of the housing, the recess is formed in the operation portion, and the protrusion is formed on the contact surface of the one connector housing. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector is formed.