JP2008016418A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector which can prevent insertion engagement of both connector housings with erroneous depression operation of a lock arm and in which releasing of lock can be made easily. <P>SOLUTION: When the both housings 10, 20 are insertion engaged, a protection member 50 which covers the surrounding of an operating part 35 is held at a depression prevention position to prevent depression operation of the operating part 35, thereby it can prevent insertion engagement while the operating member 35 is erroneously depressed. Then, when the both housings 10, 20 are separated, the protection member 50 is slide-operated from this depression prevention position, and accompanying this slide-operation, the depressing part 51 depresses the operating member 35, thereby releasing of lock is easy. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector.

  Conventionally, as an example of a connector provided with a lock arm for locking a pair of connector housings in a properly fitted state, the one described in Patent Document 1 is known. In this connector, a so-called inertia lock type is adopted, and when a locking arm provided in one connector housing hits a locking projection provided in the other connector housing in the fitting process of both connector housings. , Dare to make it difficult for the lock arm to climb onto the lock protrusion. The magnitude of the force required for the lock arm to ride on the lock projection is larger than the magnitude of the fitting resistance including the frictional resistance generated when the terminals accommodated in both connector housings are connected to each other. Is set to As a result, if both the connector housings are pushed in the mating direction and the lock arm rides on the locking projection, the terminals are properly connected by the inertial force, and the two connector housings are properly mated. To be locked. By adopting such an inertia lock type, when the resistance force when mating the two connector housings is increased by the frictional resistance caused by the connection between the terminals, the mating operation is completed. It is possible to avoid a situation in which a person misunderstands and both connector housings are left in a half-fitted state.

  However, in the lock arm adopting such an inertia lock type, if both connector housings are fitted with the operation part being pressed by mistake, the lock arm does not hit the lock protrusion, that is, There is a possibility that the lock arm rides on the lock protrusion without functioning the inertia lock, and the two connector housings are left in a semi-fitted state. In view of this, the connector is provided with a cover on which a restricting protrusion is formed for restricting the operation portion from entering the lower portion of the operation portion and being displaced downward. Then, if both connector housings are fitted with this cover in a state where the restricting projection is attached to the main locking position where the displacement of the operating portion is restricted, the two connector housings are fitted with the operating portion pushed down by mistake. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation where the inertia lock does not function.

When both the connector housings are to be detached, the cover held at the final locking position is pulled with a strong force behind the connector housing, and the control projection is retracted rearward so that the control projection The position is moved to a temporary locking position that allows the displacement, and then the operation unit is pushed down to release the lock.
JP 2000-82538 A

  However, in order to release the lock in the configuration as described above, the operation of moving the cover held at the main locking position to the temporary locking position and the operation of pressing the operation portion of the lock arm are performed. Since two actions are required, it takes a relatively long time to release the lock.

  On the other hand, in the case of a normal lock arm that does not employ the inertia lock type, when the two connector housings reach the proper mating state, the lock arm elastically recovers and collides with the other connector housing. The generated collision sound allows the operator to recognize that the two connector housings are locked in the normal state, so that the two connector housings are not retained in the half-fitted state.

  In such a lock arm, if both the connector housings are fitted while the operation part is erroneously pressed as described above, the two locks are obtained when the two connector housings are brought into a normal fitting state. There is a possibility that the collision sound that should be generated does not sound or the moment of the restoring deformation of the lock arm is weak and only a small collision sound is obtained, and both the connector housings are held in a half-fitted state. Therefore, in order to avoid such a situation, in the case where the same cover as that described above is provided, it is possible to prevent both connector housings from being fitted with the lock arm being pressed by mistake. Therefore, two actions are required to release the lock, and the same problem that it takes time to release the lock occurs.

  The present invention has been completed based on the above-described circumstances, and can prevent both connector housings from being fitted with the lock arm being pressed by mistake, and can be easily unlocked. It is an object to provide a connector that can be used.

  As a means for achieving the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that a lock arm for locking both connector housings in a normal fitting state is provided in one of the pair of connector housings that can be fitted to each other. The lock arm is elastically bent in the process of fitting operation of both connector housings, and is elastically restored and locked to the other connector housing when the two connector housings reach a proper fitting state. At the same time, in the connector provided with an operation portion that elastically bends the lock arm in the unlocking direction when the lock arm is pressed, the one connector housing covers the periphery of the operation portion. And a protective member capable of preventing the operation portion from being pressed. The protective member is slidable between the press-preventing position and the unlocking position separated from the press-preventing position, and the protective member includes the operating portion when the protective member slides from the press-preventing position to the unlocking position. It is characterized in that a pressing portion that engages and presses the operating portion is provided.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the lock arm is provided on a side surface of the one connector housing and can be tilted in a seesaw shape, and the lock arm has a front end in the fitting direction. Is provided with a lock portion that can be locked to the other connector housing, and the operation portion is provided at one rear end, and in the process of fitting the two connector housings, the lock portion is provided with the one connector housing. Elastically bends away from the side surfaces of the two connector housings, and when both connector housings are brought into a normal fitting state, they are elastically restored and locked to the other connector housing. When a pressing operation is performed in a direction approaching the side surface of one connector housing, the lock arm is tilted and the lock portion is moved to the one connector housing. The lock is released by displacing in a direction away from the side surface of the Kuta housing, and the operation member and the one connector are provided on the protection member when the protection member is held at the press-preventing position. A restricting portion that enters between the side surfaces of the housing and restricts the operation portion from being displaced in a direction approaching the side surface of the same connector housing; and when the protective member reaches the unlocking position, It is characterized in that the operating portion is retracted to a position allowing displacement of the operating portion in a direction approaching the side surface of the one connector housing.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the one connector housing is provided with a slidable contact surface that slides and guides the protective member. On the other hand, the bulging part is formed on the protective member, and the protective member is provided with an engaging leg provided with a protruding part that is elastically deflectable and protrudes toward the bulging part side. The protrusion is elastically deflected by climbing on the bulging portion as the protective member slides, and the protruding portion bulges when the protective member reaches the pressing prevention position or the unlocking position. It is characterized in that it is elastically restored by overcoming the part.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the protective member is formed with a finger hook portion for hooking a finger when the protective member is slid. However, it has characteristics.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the protective member according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the protective member further includes the protective member when the protective member is slid to the unlocked position. It is characterized in that a stopper portion that can be locked to the one connector housing is provided so as not to be removed from the unlocked position by being slid.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the protective member is formed with a window portion through which the inside of the protective member can be visually recognized from the outside. The protection member is arranged at a position where it is visible through the window portion and a position where it cannot be seen, respectively, in a state where the lock is released after reaching the unlock position and in a state other than that. It has a characteristic where it exists.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention provides the apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein when the protective member is held at the press-preventing position, the protective member is located on the side toward the unlocking position. When the position of the edge is aligned with the position of the edge of the connector housing, and the position of the protection member is shifted to the unlocking position side, the position of the edge of the protection member is the connector housing. It is characterized in that it is arranged at a position deviated from the position of the edge of the.

<Invention of Claim 1>
When fitting both connector housings, the protective member placed in the pressure-preventing position covers the periphery of the operating part and prevents the operating part from being pressed. It is possible to prevent the mating from being performed.

  When both the connector housings are detached, if the protective member is slid from the pressing prevention position to the unlocking position, the pressing portion presses the operating portion along with the sliding operation to release the lock.

  As described above, since it is possible to release the lock only by sliding the protective member to the unlock position, that is, with one action, it is possible to fit both connector housings while pressing the lock arm by mistake. In addition to being able to prevent, the lock can be easily released.

<Invention of Claim 2>
When the protective member is held at the pressing prevention position, the restricting portion provided in the protective member enters between the operating portion and the side surface of the one connector housing, and the operating portion is placed on the side surface of the one connector housing. Restrict displacement in the approaching direction. As a result, when the two connector housings are fitted, the lock arm is elastic in a direction in which the lock portion is separated from the side surface of one connector housing in a state where the displacement of the operation portion (that is, the rear end portion) is restricted. Because it bends, the force of elastic return when both connector housings reach the proper mating state is stronger than when the lock arm tilts like a seesaw and elastically bends, and a larger impact sound can be obtained. it can.

  When the protective member reaches the unlocked position, the restricting portion retreats to a direction allowing the operating portion to approach the side surface of the one connector housing, that is, to displace in the unlocking direction. Does not interfere with the release.

  Therefore, the lock can be easily released simply by sliding the protective member, and it is possible to clearly obtain a collision sound that is an important element in knowing whether or not both connector housings are properly fitted. it can.

<Invention of Claim 3>
The engaging leg provided on the protective member is elastically bent when the protruding portion rides on the bulging portion as the protective member slides, and the protruding portion is located when the protective member reaches the pressing prevention position or the unlocking position. Since the elastic recovery is achieved by overcoming the bulging portion, the operator can obtain a sense of moderation that the protective member has reached the pressure preventing position or the unlocking position. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the connector housings are fitted or detached while the protective member is kept in a halfway position that does not reach the pressing prevention position or the unlocking position.

<Invention of Claim 4>
The protective member is formed with a finger hook portion for hooking a finger when the protective member is slid, so that the sliding operation can be easily performed. Also, hold one finger on the finger-holding part and slide the protective member to the unlocked position, hold the other finger on one connector housing, hold this connector housing, and then detach both connector housings. Can do.

<Invention of Claim 5>
The protective member is provided with a stopper portion that can be locked to one of the connector housings so that when the protective member is slid to the unlocked position, the protective member is not further slid and removed from the unlocked position. Thus, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the unlocking state is canceled due to the sliding operation of the protective member that has reached the one end unlocking position.

<Invention of Claim 6>
The operation part is arranged in a position where the lock is unlocked in accordance with the sliding operation of the protective member and a position where the operation part is not visible and a position where the operation part is not visible through the window part. Yes. As a result, not only whether or not the protective member is held at the unlocking position by the positional relationship between the protective member and the connector housing, but also the lock is released depending on whether or not the operation unit can be visually recognized through the window portion. It is possible to recognize whether the connector housing has been released, and the connector housings can be detached in a state in which the lock is reliably released.

<Invention of Claim 7>
When the protective member is held at the press-preventing position, the position of the edge toward the unlocking position is aligned with the position of the edge of the connector housing, and the position of the protecting member is on the unlocking position side. If they are misaligned, the position of the edge is arranged at a position deviated from the position of the edge of the connector housing, so that the position of the edge of the protective member is aligned with the position of the edge of the connector housing. By confirming this, it can be recognized whether or not the protective member is held at the pressing prevention position. As described above, since the reference for recognizing whether or not the protective member is held at the press-preventing position is clarified, the two connector housings are fitted with the protective member securely held at the press-preventive position. Can be made.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The connector of the present embodiment includes a male housing 10 (corresponding to the other connector housing in the present invention) and a female housing 20 (corresponding to one connector housing in the present invention) that can be fitted and detached from each other. Yes. Hereinafter, in each component, the fitting surface side in both housings 10 and 20 will be described as the front, and the upper side in FIG. 1 will be described as the upper side and the lower side as the lower side.

  The male housing 10 is directly connected to the apparatus, and as shown in FIG. 1, is provided on the outer surface of the apparatus main body and includes a rectangular tube-shaped hood portion 11 that opens forward. On the inner side of the hood portion 11, a male terminal fitting 12 having a tab shape capable of being electrically connected to the female terminal fitting 21 is projected. As shown in FIG. 2, three male terminal fittings 12 are arranged in the width direction and arranged in two upper and lower stages.

  A lock projection 13 that protrudes upward is provided in the vicinity of the center of the upper surface of the male housing 10 in the width direction. The lock projection 13 is provided at a substantially central position in the front-rear direction (extension direction) of the hood portion 11 and can be engaged with a lock portion 33 of a lock arm 30 described later. The front side surface of the lock protrusion 13 is an inclined surface 13A that gently rises from the front to the rear so that the lock arm 30 can easily get on, while the rear side ensures engagement with the lock portion 33. Therefore, the engagement surface 13B is formed so as to stand upright. A pair of guide walls 14 extending along the fitting direction of the housings 10 and 20 are formed on both sides of the lock protrusion 13.

  The female housing 20 is made of synthetic resin, and is provided with a terminal accommodating portion 23 that can accommodate the female terminal fitting 21. As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal accommodating portion 23 has a prismatic shape with a substantially rectangular cross section that is slightly longer in the left-right direction. In the terminal accommodating portion 23, cavities 24 into which the female terminal fittings 21 can be inserted from the rear are arranged in three chambers in the left-right direction at the same pitch as the above-described male terminal fittings 12, and in two upper and lower stages. A lance 24A protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of each cavity 24 in a cantilevered manner, and the female terminal fitting 21 is elastically locked by the lance 24A to prevent rearward withdrawal.

  Further, a tab insertion opening 25 into which the male terminal fitting 12 can be inserted is provided at a position corresponding to each cavity 24 on the front wall of the terminal accommodating portion 23, and the front edge of the hole has a substantially bowl shape over the entire circumference. The guiding surface 25A is formed so that the entry operation of the male terminal fitting 12 is smoothly guided.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a finger hook portion 27 protruding downward from the lower surface is provided at the rear end portion of the terminal accommodating portion 23. The finger hanging portion 27 has a shape extending along the rear edge of the terminal accommodating portion 23, and when both the housings 10 and 20 are detached, the finger housing portion 27 can hook the finger to pull out the female housing 20 from the male housing 10. it can.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the female terminal fitting 21 accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 23 is formed in a prismatic shape on the front side of the female terminal fitting 21 and can be connected to the tab portion of the male terminal fitting 12. And a barrel portion 21B on the rear side. A rubber plug 22 for electric wire is crimped to the barrel portion 21B together with the end of the electric wire. When the rubber plug 22 for electric wires is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cavity 24, the inside of the cavity 24 is waterproofed.

  In addition, an outer cylindrical wall 29 having a substantially cylindrical shape is provided from a position slightly behind the front and rear direction substantially central position in the terminal accommodating portion 23 to a position slightly beyond the front end surface of the terminal accommodating portion 23. The rear end portion of the outer cylindrical wall 29 and the outer peripheral surface of the terminal accommodating portion 23 are connected by a continuous wall 28.

  An opening 28A that penetrates the connecting wall 28 in the wall thickness direction (front-rear direction) is formed in an upper portion of the connecting wall 28 in the connecting wall 28, and a lock arm 30 and a protection member 50 described later are provided. The continuous wall 28 is penetrated in the front-rear direction through the opening 28A.

  And the lock arm 30 which locks both the housings 10 and 20 to a regular fitting state is provided in the upper surface (side surface of the connector housing) of the terminal accommodating part 23. FIG. The lock arm 30 is arranged at a substantially central position in the width direction of the terminal accommodating portion 23 and has a long shape in the fitting direction of the housings 10 and 20, and a support leg 31 is suspended at a substantially central position in the longitudinal direction. The support leg 31 can be tilted in a seesaw shape with the fulcrum as a fulcrum. The support leg 31 is provided at substantially the same position as the position where the continuous wall 28 projects, and the lock arm 30 has a front portion 30A and a rear portion 30B sandwiching the continuous wall 28 between the front side and the rear side. The front portion 30 </ b> A is covered with the outer cylinder wall 29. A space that can accommodate the hood portion 11 and the seal ring 43 is secured between the front side portion 30 </ b> A of the lock arm 30 and the upper surface of the terminal accommodating portion 23.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the lock arm 30 has a structure in which the front ends of a pair of arms 32 are connected to each other by a lock portion 33, and both arms 32 have a width dimension of the lock projection 13 of the male housing 10 described above. It takes a parallel posture with a wide gap. The lock arm 30 can pass through the inside of a pair of guide walls 14 provided in the male housing 10, and the rear side of the lock portion 33 between the pair of arms 32 is located between the housings 10, 20. Is a lock hole 34 into which the lock projection 13 of the male housing 10 can be engaged. Note that a rounded guide surface 33 </ b> A is formed at the lower corner of the front surface of the lock portion 33.

  An operation portion 35 is provided at the rear end portion of the lock arm 30 to bend the lock arm 30 in the unlocking direction when pressed. The operation part 35 has a substantially rectangular flat plate shape that connects the rear ends of the pair of arms 32 and can press the upper surface thereof. The lower surface of the operation part 35 and the upper surface of the terminal accommodating part 23 A space in which the operation unit 35 can be displaced downward is provided in between.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the rear end portion of the operation portion 35 is a pressed portion 36 that protrudes upward from the front portion thereof. The front side surface of the pressed portion 36 is a pressed inclined surface 36A that has an inclination that gradually rises toward the rear, and the pressed portion 36 has a shape that gently protrudes from the front portion. A protective member 50 described later can be slidably contacted with the pressed portion 36. The lower surface of the pressed portion 36 is a recessed portion 37 that is recessed upward from the front portion, and the recessed portion 37 is engaged with the upper surface of the rear wall portion 50C of the protection member 50 from above. Yes.

  The protection member 50 includes an upper wall portion 50A that covers the upper portion of the operation portion 35, a pair of side wall portions 50B that face the sliding contact surface 39, and a rear wall portion 50C that connects the rear end portions of the side wall portions 50B. ing. As shown in FIG. 5, guide ribs 52 extending in the front-rear direction are formed on both outer side surfaces of the side wall portion 50 </ b> B, and stopper portions 53 are formed at positions closer to the front side of the pair of guide ribs 52. . The protective member 50 will be described in detail later.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a pair of rising walls 38 that can accommodate the protection member 50 are provided in a portion of the terminal accommodating portion 23 that is behind the continuous wall 28. The rising wall 38 extends rearward continuously from the outer cylindrical wall 29 and is raised on both sides of the operation portion 35. The inner side surface (surface on the side facing each other) of the rising wall 38 is a slidable contact surface 39 that slides and guides the protective member 50.

  The guide grooves 40 through which the guide ribs 52 of the protection member 50 can pass are formed on both sliding contact surfaces 39. Each of the pair of guide grooves 40 has a shape that matches the guide rib 52 and extends long in the front-rear direction from the rear end edge of the rising wall 38 to the front end edge of the outer cylindrical wall 29.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the guide groove 40 is provided with a locking portion 41 that can lock the stopper portion 53 of the protection member 50. The pair of locking portions 41 are arranged at positions near the rear end in the guide groove 40, that is, positions near the rear end of the terminal accommodating portion 23, and project from the sides (inner sides) facing each other. Each locking portion 41 has an inclined surface 41 </ b> A whose rear side surface rises forward, and a front side surface which is a vertical surface 41 </ b> B that rises in a substantially vertical direction with respect to the inner surface of the guide groove 40.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, bulging portions 42 are respectively provided at the lower end portions of both sliding contact surfaces 39. As shown in FIG. 7, the pair of bulging portions 42 are facing each other over a portion from a position slightly ahead of the rear end edge of the terminal accommodating portion 23 to a position slightly rearward of the rear surface of the connecting wall 28 ( The space in the width direction between the bulging portions 42 is narrower than the space in the width direction before and after the bulging portion 42.

  A seal ring 43 is externally fitted to the terminal accommodating portion 23. The seal ring 43 seals between the two housings 10 and 20 by being sandwiched between the male housing 10 and the female housing 20.

  Now, the protection member 50 will be described in detail. The upper wall portion 50A of the protection member 50 has a plate shape as a whole, and has a longitudinal dimension that can cover from the rear end of the operation portion 35 to almost half of the front portion 30A of the lock arm 30 as shown in FIG. I have. The pair of side wall portions 50B hangs downward along both side edges of the upper wall portion 50A. The substantially second half portion of the side wall portion 50B has a length dimension from the rear end of the terminal accommodating portion 23 to the rear surface position of the connecting wall 28, that is, the front-rear direction dimension substantially the same as the front-rear direction dimension of the rising wall 38. 35 can be covered, and the operation unit 35 is accommodated in the inner space S of the protective member 50 surrounded by the upper wall portion 50A, the side wall portion 50B, and the rear wall portion 50C. Is done.

  On the lower surface of the upper wall portion 50A, there is provided a pressing portion 51 that slides on the operating portion 35 of the lock arm 30 and presses the operating portion 35 in accordance with a sliding operation. The pressing portion 51 has a front-rear direction front portion on the lower surface of the upper wall portion 50A that protrudes downward, and a rear side surface of the pressing portion 51 is a pressing inclined surface 51A that has an inclination that gradually protrudes toward the front side. The pressing slope 51A is arranged slightly rearward of the center position of the upper wall portion 50A in the front-rear direction. When the protective member 50 is held at the pressing prevention position, the pressing slope 51A slightly differs from the pressed slope 36A of the operation portion 35. It will be in the state facing this to-be-pressed slope 36A in the position distant from the front.

  When the protective member 50 is held at the press-preventing position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the substantially first half portion of the upper wall portion 50A is located inside the outer cylinder wall 29 (specifically, the outer cylinder wall 29 and the lock arm). 30) and the position of the rear edge of the upper wall portion 50A (the edge on the side toward the unlocking position) is aligned with the rear edge of the terminal accommodating portion 23. Further, the side wall portion 50B and the rear wall portion 50C are also arranged at positions where the rear end edge (the end edge on the side toward the unlocking position) is aligned with the rear end edge of the terminal accommodating portion 23, and do not protrude rearward. It is accommodated between a pair of rising walls 38. That is, the protective member 50 is disposed at a position where the rear end edge thereof is aligned with the rear end edge of the female housing 20, and covers the periphery of the operation unit 35 in a state where it does not protrude rearward from the female housing 20.

  The front end portion of the upper wall portion 50A has a wall thickness that decreases toward the front end, and when the protective member 50 is in the pressing prevention position, that is, the upper wall portion 50A covers half of the front side portion 30A of the lock arm 30. As shown in FIG. 8, even when the front portion 30A is covered, the front portion 30A is prevented from coming into contact with the upper wall portion 50A even if the front portion 30A is elastically bent upward until it gets over the lock protrusion 13 of the male housing 10. Yes.

  When the protective member 50 is in the unlocked position, as shown in FIG. 11, the entire upper wall portion 50A is shifted rearward from the outer cylindrical wall 29 and is exposed to the outside. At this time, the position of the front edge of the upper wall portion 50A is arranged at substantially the same position as the position of the rear surface of the connecting wall 28, and the operation portion 35 is still covered with the upper wall portion 50A. Yes.

  Further, when the protective member 50 is in the pressing operation position, the pressed portion 36 of the operation unit 35 is locked to the upper end surface of the rear wall 50C in a state where it is placed. Thus, the rear wall portion 50C enters between the operation portion 35 and the upper surface of the terminal accommodating portion 23, and the operation portion 35 is displaced downward (in a direction approaching the upper surface of the terminal accommodating portion 23) by the rear wall portion 50C. Be regulated. The rear wall portion 50C corresponds to the restriction portion in the present invention.

  And the window part 54 which can visually recognize the inner side space S of the protection member 50 from the exterior is formed in the protection member 50. As shown in FIG. The window portion 54 is surrounded by the upper surface of the rear wall portion 50C, the lower surface of the upper wall portion 50A, and the inner surfaces of the pair of side wall portions 50B, and communicates the inner space S of the protective member 50 and the outside in the front-rear direction. Yes. When the protective member 50 is in the pressing prevention position, the pressed portion 36 of the operating portion 35 is placed on the upper end surface of the rear wall portion 50C and enters the window portion 54, so that the operating portion 35 passes through the window portion 54. To the outside.

  When the protective member 50 is in the unlocked position, the rear wall portion 50C is disengaged rearward from the pressed portion 36, the pressed portion 36 is disengaged forward from the window portion 54, and is pushed downward to be below the window portion 54. It is in a state of being hidden by the side, that is, the rear wall portion 50C of the protection member 50.

  The guide rib 52 provided on the side wall portion 50B has a substantially square cross section and extends in the front-rear direction so as to follow the lower edge of the upper wall portion 50A. And since the protection member 50 is slid in a state where the guide rib 52 is fitted in the guide groove 40, the protection member 50 does not tilt during the slide operation.

  And the stopper part 53 formed in the guide rib 52 can each be latched to the latching | locking part 41 formed in the guide groove 40, as shown in FIG. 12, The front side surface faces back. An inclined surface 53 </ b> A that rises and a rear side surface that is a vertical surface 53 </ b> B that rises in a substantially vertical direction with respect to the inner surface of the guide groove 40. The vertical surface 53B is disposed at a position that is very close to the vertical surface 41B of the locking portion 41 when the protection member 50 is slid to the unlock position.

  Further, a rib 55 extending forward is provided on the front side surface of the rear wall portion 50C. The rib 55 has a prismatic shape that is long in the front-rear direction and can pass between the pair of arms 32 of the lock arm 30. The rib 55 is provided at the lower end of the rear wall part 50C, and the lower surface thereof is flush with the lower surfaces of the rear wall part 50C and the side wall part 50B. It is designed to come into sliding contact with the upper surface. Thereby, it is avoided that the protection member 50 tilts during the slide operation, and a smooth slide operation is performed.

  The protection member 50 is provided with a pair of engagement legs 56. As shown in FIG. 7, the pair of engagement legs 56 are configured such that the wall thickness of the front side portion of the side wall portion 50B of the protection member 50 is made thinner than the wall thickness of the other portions, Can be elastically bent in the crossing direction). At the lower end of the outer surface of the engaging leg 56, a protruding portion 57 is formed that protrudes outward (toward the bulging portion 42 side). The pair of projecting portions 57 are positioned on the front side of the bulging portion 42 when the protection member 50 is in the pressing prevention position (see FIG. 7), and are located on the rear side of the bulging portion 42 when the protection member 50 is in the unlocked position. Located (see FIG. 13).

  Further, the protection member 50 is formed with a finger hook portion 58 for hooking a finger when the protection member 50 is slid. The finger hook portion 58 is provided at a substantially central position in the front-rear direction of the upper wall portion 50A. When the protection member 50 is in the pressing prevention position, the finger hook portion 58 is arranged at a position immediately after the outer cylindrical wall 29 as shown in FIG. It has become. The finger-hanging portion 58 protrudes above the upper surface of the outer cylinder wall 29 and is easy to hook a finger.

Next, the operation and effect of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.
First, the protective member 50 is assembled to the female housing 20 at the pressing prevention position. First, the protective member 50 is pushed forward so that the operation portion 35 enters the inner space S of the protective member 50 while aligning the guide rib 52 so as to fit into the guide groove 40. Then, the protrusions 57 of the engaging legs 56 ride on the bulging parts 42 and elastically bend in the direction in which the engaging legs 56 approach each other (squeezing direction), and the inclined surfaces 41A and 53A of the stopper part 53 and the locking part 41 are provided. After the sliding contact, the stopper portion 53 gets over the locking portion 41. Then, when the protective member 50 reaches the pressing prevention position, as shown in FIG. 7, each protrusion 57 moves over the bulging portion 42 and the engagement leg 56 is elastically restored, so that the operator feels moderate. can get. At this time, by visually confirming that the position of the rear end edge of the protective member 50 is aligned with the position of the rear end edge of the female housing 20, it is confirmed that the protective member 50 is securely assembled at the pressure preventing position. I can confirm. Further, the operator can visually recognize through the window portion 54 that the rear wall portion 50C of the protection member 50 has entered the lower portion of the operation portion 35 and the pressed portion 36 is locked to the window portion 54 ( (See FIG. 4).

  Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, after assembling the protective member 50 at the pressure preventing position, the two housings 10 and 20 are fitted. First, the female housing 20 is grasped with a finger, and the terminal accommodating portion 23 is gradually pushed in while being aligned with the hood portion 11 of the male housing 10. At this time, since the operation part 35 of the lock arm 30 is covered with the protective member 50, a finger holding the female housing 20 will not accidentally press the operation part 35. Accordingly, the operating portion 35 is not erroneously pressed in a state before the both housings 10 and 20 are fitted, and both the housings 10 and 20 are fitted while the lock arm 30 is pressed. There is nothing.

  When the terminal accommodating portion 23 is inserted into the hood portion 11, the lock arm 30 passes between the guide walls 14 provided on the upper surface of the hood portion 11, and the hood portion 11 gradually moves below the lock arm 30. Get in. Then, the guide surface 33A of the lock portion 33 comes into contact with the inclined surface 13A of the lock protrusion 13, and the lock portion 33 rides on the lock protrusion 13 due to the inclination, and the front portion 30A of the lock arm 30 is elastically bent upward. At this time, since the downward displacement of the operation portion 35 is restricted by the rear wall portion 50C of the protective member 50, the rear portion 30B of the lock arm 30 cannot be bent even if it is elastically bent downward, That is, only the front portion 30A is elastically bent upward without the lock arm 30 tilting in a seesaw shape.

  Then, at the same time as the housings 10 and 20 are brought into the normal fitting state, as shown in FIG. 9, the lock portion 33 gets over the lock projection 13 and the front portion 30A is elastically restored, and the lock portion 33 and the lock projection 13 are Both the housings 10 and 20 are locked so as not to be separated from each other with the engagement surface 13B facing each other. At this time, since the front portion 30A vigorously recovers and collides with the hood portion 11, a clear collision sound is generated, and the operator can surely know that both housings 10 and 20 have reached the normal fitting state. it can. Here, in the present embodiment, only the front portion 30A is elastically deformed, and when the amount of elastic deformation of the front portion 30A is the same, the lock arm 30 tilts in a seesaw shape. Compared to the strong momentum of elastic recovery, a larger impact sound can be obtained.

  Thus, the housings 10 and 20 are sealed with the seal ring 43 and the rubber plugs 22 for electric wires, and the internal spaces of both the housings 10 and 20 are sealed, and the male and female terminal fittings 12 and 21 are normally conductively connected. It will be in a fitting state.

  Next, both the housings 10 and 20 locked in the normal fitting state are detached. First, as shown in FIG. 10, a finger is hooked on the finger hook portion 58 of the protective member 50 protruding upward of the female housing 20, and the protective member 50 is slid rearward. Then, the protrusions 57 that were on the front side of the bulging part 42 ride on the bulging part 42, respectively, and the pair of engaging legs 56 are elastically bent in a direction (squeezing direction) to approach each other, and the operator is accompanied by a sliding operation. Receive resistance. Further, the position of the rear end edge of the protective member 50 gradually shifts rearward from the position of the rear end edge of the female housing 20, and the rear wall portion 50C moves rearward from the pressed portion 36 of the operation portion 35. The restricted state of displacement of the operation unit 35 is released.

  When the protective member 50 is further slid rearward, the pressing slope 51A of the pressing portion 51 comes into contact with the pressed slope 36A of the pressed portion 36, and as shown in FIG. 11, along with the sliding contact of both the slopes 36A and 51A. The operation unit 35 is pushed downward. Then, the lock arm 30 is tilted, the front portion 30A thereof is lifted, and the lock portion 33 is disengaged above the lock protrusion 13 and the lock is released. In this way, the lock can be released with a single action of sliding the protective member 50, so that the lock can be easily released. When the protective member 50 reaches the unlocked position, as shown in FIG. 13, the projecting portions 57 ride over the bulging portions 42 and the engaging legs 56 are elastically restored, so that the operator feels moderate. Obtainable.

  Further, when the protective member 50 reaches the unlocking position, as shown in FIG. 12, the vertical surface 53B of the stopper portion 53 and the vertical surface 53B of the locking portion 41 are locked, and the protective member 50 is further moved backward. The slide operation is disabled. Thereby, the protection member 50 is hold | maintained in a lock release position. At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, the operation unit 35 is in a state in which it is removed downward from the window 54 of the protection member 50 and hidden behind the rear wall 50C, and the operator visually recognizes the operation unit 35 from the outside. By being unable to do so, it can be recognized that the lock has been reliably released.

  After releasing the lock in this manner, the female housing 20 is clamped by hooking the finger on the finger hooking portion 27 of the terminal housing portion 23 while the finger is hooked on the finger hooking portion 58 of the protective member 50, 23 is pulled rearward from the hood part 11 and both housings 10 and 20 are detached.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the housings 10 and 20 are fitted together, the protective member 50 configured to cover the periphery of the operation unit 35 is pressed to prevent the operation unit 35 from being pressed. Since it is held at the prevention position, it can be prevented that the operation unit 35 is erroneously fitted while being pressed.

  When the housings 10 and 20 are detached, if the protective member 50 is slid from the pressing prevention position, the pressing unit 51 presses the operating unit 35 along with the sliding operation to release the lock. Therefore, unlocking is easy.

  As described above, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the housings 10 and 20 from being fitted while the lock arm 30 is pressed by mistake, and the protective member 50 is slid to the unlock position. The lock can be easily released only by operation, that is, by one action.

  Further, when the protective member 50 is held at the pressing prevention position, the rear wall portion 50C of the protective member 50 enters between the operation portion 35 and the upper surface of the terminal accommodating portion 23, and the operation portion 35 is downward ( Displacement in the direction approaching the upper surface of the terminal accommodating portion 23 is restricted. Thereby, when fitting both the housings 10 and 20, the lock arm 30 has the front side portion 30A upward (with the terminal accommodating portion 23 of the terminal accommodating portion 23) in a state where the displacement of the operation portion 35 (that is, the rear side portion 30B) is restricted. The front side when both housings 10 and 20 reach a normal fitting state compared to the case where the lock arm 30 is tilted in a seesaw shape and the front side portion 30A is elastically bent. The momentum of elastic return of the portion 30A is strong, and a larger collision sound can be obtained.

  When the protective member 50 reaches the unlocking position, the rear wall 50C is retracted to a position that allows the operation unit 35 to be displaced downward (in the unlocking direction), and thus does not hinder unlocking. .

  Further, when the protection member 50 is held at the press-preventing position, the position of the rear end edge (the end edge on the side toward the unlocking position) is arranged at a position aligned with the position of the rear end edge of the female housing 20, When the position of the member 50 is deviated from the pressure preventing position, the position of the rear end edge is arranged at a position deviated from the position of the rear end edge of the female housing 20. By confirming whether or not the position of the rear end edge of the female housing 20 is aligned, it is possible to recognize whether or not the protective member 50 is held at the pressing prevention position. By providing such a clear reference, whether the protective member 50 is held in the pressure-preventing position without depending on an ambiguous reference whether the protective member 50 is in the forward position within the slidable range. I can recognize. Therefore, the two housings 10 and 20 can be fitted together while the protective member 50 is securely held in the pressure-preventing position, so that the rear wall portion 50C of the protective member 50 enters below the operation portion 35, that is, The fitting operation of both the housings 10 and 20 is performed in a state where the displacement of the operation unit 35 is restricted.

  Since the protective member 50 is provided with a finger hooking portion 58 for hooking a finger when the protective member 50 is slid, the sliding operation can be easily performed. Further, the female housing 20 can be gripped while the protective member 50 is slid to the unlocked position by placing a finger on the finger-hanging portion 58, and the two housings 10 and 20 can be subsequently detached.

  Further, the protective member 50 is provided with a stopper portion 53 that can be locked to the female housing 20 so that when the protective member 50 is slid to the unlocking position, the protective member 50 is not slid further and removed from the unlocking position. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation where the unlocking state is canceled by further sliding operation of the protective member 50 that has reached the unlocked position at one end.

  Further, the engaging leg 56 provided on the protection member 50 is elastically bent by the protrusion 57 climbing on the bulging portion 42 as the protection member 50 is slid, so that the protection member 50 is in the pressing prevention position or unlocked. Since the protruding portion 57 is elastically restored by reaching over the bulging portion 42 when reaching the position, the operator can feel a sense of moderation when the protective member 50 reaches the pressing prevention position or the unlocking position. be able to. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the housings 10 and 20 are fitted or detached while the protective member 50 is kept in a halfway position that does not reach the pressing prevention position or the unlocking position.

  Further, the operation unit 35 is arranged at a position where it can be viewed through the window portion 54 and a position where it cannot be viewed in a state where the lock is released along with the sliding operation of the protection member 50 and a state other than that. It has become so. As a result, whether or not the lock is released depending on whether or not the operation portion 35 can be visually recognized through the window portion 54 as well as visually checking how far the position of the protection member 50 is shifted from the terminal accommodating portion 23. The two housings 10 and 20 can be detached while the lock is reliably released.

  Thus, in this embodiment, since the clear reference is each provided about the case where the protection member 50 is hold | maintained at a press prevention position, and the case where it is hold | maintained at a lock release position, the protection member 50 is provided. The fitting / removing operation is prevented from being carried out while being held in the wrong position.

<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 present invention is applied to the normal lock arm 30 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to an inertia lock type lock arm. Here, when the inertia lock type is adopted, in order to increase the magnitude of the force required to lock the pair of housings, it is necessary to increase the rigidity by increasing the support leg of the lock arm. However, in that case, there is a situation in which a large force is required to forcibly tilt the lock arm to release the lock. However, according to the configuration of the present invention, when the two housings are fitted, the lock arm does not tilt like a seesaw, and only the front portion can be elastically bent upward. Can be tilted like a seesaw. As a result, an increase in the force required for locking and a reduction in the force required for unlocking are easily realized.

  (2) In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the lock arm 30 that can tilt in a seesaw shape is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, from the side of one housing to the rear in the fitting direction of both connector housings The present invention can also be applied to a lock arm that extends in a cantilever shape and has an operation portion at the rear end. In this case, a protection member capable of sliding operation is provided on the rear end side of the lock arm, and as the protection member is slid, the pressing portion presses the operation portion to elastically bend the lock arm in the unlocking direction. By doing so, similarly to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to release the lock with one action of sliding the protective member.

  (3) In the above embodiment, the operation unit 35 can be visually recognized from the outside when the protection member 50 is in the press-preventing position, and the operation unit 35 is not visible from the outside when the protection member 50 is in the unlocked position. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is only necessary to be able to recognize whether or not the lock has been released depending on whether or not the operation unit can be visually recognized through the window portion. In some cases, the operating unit may not be visible from the outside, and when the protective member is in the unlocked position, the operating unit may be visible from the outside.

  (4) In the above embodiment, the finger hooking portion 58 of the protection member 50 is shaped to protrude upward from the upper surface of the outer cylinder wall 29, but the finger hooking portion has a shape that makes it easy to hook a finger during a sliding operation. Any shape may be used as long as it is present. For example, the finger-hanging portion may be a streak-like protrusion formed on the upper surface of the protective member in order to make the finger difficult to slip.

Side sectional view of male housing and female housing before mating in this embodiment Front view of male housing Front view of female housing Rear view of female housing Side view of protective member A plan sectional view of the female housing showing the positions of the stopper portion and the locking portion when the protective member is held at the pressure preventing position. A cross-sectional plan view of the female housing showing the positions of the protruding portion and the bulging portion when the protective member is held at the pressure preventing position. Side sectional view of both housings showing how the lock arm rides on the lock protrusion Cross-sectional side view of both housings in a properly mated state Side sectional view of both housings showing how the protective member is slid Side sectional view of both housings showing the state of unlocking Plan sectional view of the female housing showing the positions of the stopper portion and the locking portion when the protective member is held at the unlocking position. A plan sectional view of the female housing showing the positions of the protruding portion and the bulging portion when the protective member is held in the unlocked position.

Explanation of symbols

10 ... Male housing (the other connector housing)
20: Female housing (one connector housing)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 ... Lock arm 33 ... Lock part 35 ... Operation part 39 ... Sliding contact surface 42 ... Swelling part 50 ... Protection member 50C ... Rear wall part (regulation part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 51 ... Press part 53 ... Stopper part 54 ... Window part 56 ... Engagement leg 57 ... Protrusion part 58 ... Finger hook part

Claims (7)

One of the pair of connector housings that can be fitted to each other is provided with a lock arm that locks the two connector housings in a proper fitting state. When both connector housings are elastically bent and are brought into a proper mating state, they are elastically restored and locked to the other connector housing. In the connector provided with an operation part that elastically bends in the unlocking direction,
The one connector housing is provided with a protective member that covers the periphery of the operation portion and can prevent the operation portion from being pressed.
The protective member is slidable between a pressure preventing position that covers the operation portion and a lock releasing position that is separated from the pressure preventing position.
The protective member is provided with a pressing portion that engages with the operating portion and presses the operating portion when the protective member slides from the pressing preventing position to the unlocking position. Connector. The lock arm is provided on a side surface of the one connector housing and can be tilted like a seesaw. A lock portion that can be locked to the other connector housing is provided at a front end of the lock arm in the fitting direction. The operation part is provided at the rear end,
In the process of fitting the two connector housings, the locking portion elastically bends away from the side surface of the one connector housing, and when the two connector housings are brought into a normal fitting state, the other connector is elastically restored. It is designed to lock on the housing,
When the operation portion is pressed from the locked state in a direction approaching the side surface of the one connector housing, the lock arm is tilted and the lock portion is displaced in a direction away from the side surface of the one connector housing. The release is made,
When the protective member is held at the press-preventing position, the protective member enters between the operating portion and the side surface of the one connector housing, and the operating portion approaches the side surface of the same connector housing. A restricting portion for restricting displacement in the direction to be
2. The retraction mechanism according to claim 1, wherein when the protection member reaches the unlocking position, the operation portion is retracted to a position that allows the operation portion to be displaced in a direction approaching a side surface of the one connector housing. The connector according to 1. The one connector housing is provided with a sliding contact surface that slides and guides the protective member.
While this slidable contact surface is formed with a bulge,
The protective member is provided with an engaging leg having a protruding portion that is elastically deflectable and protrudes toward the bulging portion side,
The engaging leg is elastically bent as the protruding portion rides on the bulging portion as the protective member slides, and the protruding portion protrudes when the protective member reaches the pressing prevention position or the unlocking position. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the portion is elastically restored by overcoming the bulging portion. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the protection member is formed with a finger hook portion for hooking a finger when the protection member is slid. The protective member includes a stopper that can be locked to the one connector housing so that when the protective member is slid to the unlocked position, the protective member is further slid to be removed from the unlocked position. The connector according to claim 1, wherein a portion is provided. The protective member is formed with a window portion that can visually recognize the inside of the protective member from the outside.
The operation unit is arranged in a position where the protection member reaches the lock release position and is unlocked, and a position where the operation member is visible through the window part and a position where the protection member is not visible. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector is configured as described above. When the protective member is held at the press-preventing position, the position of the edge of the protective member on the side toward the unlocking position is aligned with the position of the edge of the connector housing, and the protective member The position of the edge of the said protection member is distribute | arranged to the position which remove | deviated from the position of the edge of the said connector housing when the position of has shifted | deviated to the said lock release position side. Item 7. The connector according to any one of Items 6.

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