JP2010186646A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a connector that is excellent in workability and work stability by reducing the number of parts and constructing it at a low cost and by operating it in the same direction to facilitate fitting of the housing and prevent unlocking. .
A connector includes a female housing, a male housing, and a rotating member that is rotated by a fitting operation force of the housings to promote the fitting of the housings. In this case, the movement of the flexible lock arm 11 of the housing 3 that is locked to the locking portion 9 of the housing 5 is restricted by the restriction arm 13 of the rotating member 7, thereby preventing the unlocking.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector having a function of promoting fitting between a female housing and a male housing.

  Patent Document 1 describes a “lever type connector”.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the lever-type connector 101 includes a male housing 103, a female housing 105, and a lever 107 that is rotatably attached to the female housing 105. When the housings 103 and 105 are fitted, When the lever 107 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 113 while the follower pin 109 of the male housing 103 is passed through the cam groove 111 of the lever 107, the follower pin 109 is moved by the cam thrust force (fitting promoting function) generated in the cam groove 111. Accordingly, the male housing 103 is pulled into the female housing 105 side to fit the housings 103 and 105 together.

  Thereafter, the detection pin 117 of the lever 107 is inserted into the insertion hole 115 of the female housing 105 in the direction of the arrow 119 to keep the housings 103 and 105 in the fitted state, and depending on the position of the detection pin 117 along the direction of the arrow 119. It is detected whether or not the fitting is finished.

JP 2003-115356 A

  However, the lever-type connector 101 requires two members, the lever 107 and the detection pin 117, in order to obtain the function of promoting the fitting of the housings 103 and 105 and the function of preventing the release of the lock. It is.

  Further, the operation direction (arrow 113) of the lever 107 for fitting the housings 103 and 105 and the insertion direction (arrow 119) of the detection pin 117 are completely different directions and are separate operations. bad.

  Further, due to the play existing between the female housing 105 and the lever 107, the detection pin 117 cannot be inserted into the insertion hole 115, and it may not be possible to correctly indicate whether or not the fitting has been completed.

  In addition, when the lever 107 (cam groove 111) and the follower pin 109 are disengaged, the housings 103 and 105 are not fitted even if the lever 107 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 113. Since the detection pin 117 can be inserted into the insertion hole 115, there is a possibility that a state where the detection pin 117 is not fitted is mistaken as a state where the fitting is completed.

  Further, the lever 107 is likely to come off during the operation.

  Therefore, the present invention can be implemented at a low cost by reducing the number of parts, and is excellent in workability and work stability by being able to promote fitting and detect fitting in the same operation direction. The purpose is to provide a connector.

  The connector according to claim 1 is rotated by receiving a female housing for housing the female terminal fitting, a male housing for housing the male terminal fitting, and an operating force for fitting the two housings. And a rotating member that facilitates the fitting of both housings with movement, wherein a locking portion is provided on one of the housings, and the locking portion is locked on the other of the housings. A flexible lock arm is provided, and the rotating member is provided with a flexible restricting arm for restricting movement of the lock arm in a state of being engaged with the engaging portion to prevent the release of the lock. It is characterized by.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the connector according to claim 1, wherein the locking portion and the lock arm are locked by a locking protrusion provided on the locking portion side. The rotating member is prevented from being released when the regulating arm presses the locked arm in the locked state in the locking direction.

  A third aspect of the invention is the connector according to the first or second aspect, wherein a power point protrusion as a power point and an action point protrusion as a point of action are provided on one of the housings. The force point protrusion sliding groove in which the force point protrusion engages and slides to the other of the housings during the fitting operation of both housings and the action point in which the action point protrusion engages and slides A protrusion sliding groove and a fulcrum protrusion serving as a fulcrum on which the rotating member rotates are provided, and a notch that engages the operating point protrusion on the rotating member and supports the fulcrum protrusion. A fulcrum projecting portion supporting groove and a flexible arm, and the notch is formed in the opening by an opening through which the working point projecting portion enters and an operation force amplifying function that operates as the rotating member rotates. A cam groove for pulling in a certain operating point projection, and the fulcrum projection supporting groove supports the fulcrum projection and serves as a rotation center. The flexible arm has a rotation support portion, and when the two housings are fitted, the flexible arm receives the operation force and causes the action point protrusion to enter the opening of the notch and the force point protrusion. The two housings are fitted to each other through the operating point protrusion by the operation force amplification function of the cam groove that operates in accordance with the rotation. It is characterized by promoting.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the connector according to claim 3, wherein the notch of the rotating member has a working point protrusion moving groove provided in communication with the cam groove, and the fulcrum The projecting portion support groove has a fulcrum projecting portion moving groove provided in communication with the rotation support portion. After the two housings are fitted together, when the rotation member is pressed in this fitting operation direction, In the notch, the action point protrusion moves from the cam groove to the action point protrusion movement groove, and in the fulcrum protrusion support groove, the fulcrum protrusion moves from the rotation support part to the fulcrum protrusion movement groove. The moving member moves in the fitting operation direction, and the restricting arm moves to a position where it presses the lock arm in the locking direction, so that unlocking is prevented.

  A fifth aspect of the invention is the connector according to the third or fourth aspect, wherein the housing is stored in the flexible arm that is bent in contact with the power point protrusion when both housings are engaged. The elastic force promotes the rotation of the rotating member and enhances the operation force amplification function of the cam groove.

  A sixth aspect of the invention is the connector according to the fourth aspect, wherein the elastic force stored in the flexible arm that abuts against the power point protrusion and is bent when both the housings are engaged. Is the movement of the rotating member in the fitting operation direction, the movement of the action point protrusion from the cam groove to the action point protrusion movement groove, and the rotation support part of the fulcrum protrusion to the fulcrum protrusion movement groove. It is characterized by facilitating movement.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein when the fitting of the two housings is incomplete, the connector abuts against the power point protrusion and is bent. Detecting incomplete fitting by reversing from a complete indication position indicating completion of fitting to an incomplete indication position indicating incomplete fitting by the elastic force stored in the flexible arm. A connector characterized by enabling.

  The connector according to claim 1 is prevented from being unlocked by restricting the movement of the lock arm in a state where the restricting arm of the rotating member is engaged with the engaging protrusion.

  In this way, since the housing can be promoted and the unlocking can be prevented with only the rotating member (one member), the number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be reduced, unlike the conventional example requiring two members. .

  The connector according to claim 2 prevents the unlocking by pressing the locking arm of the rotating member in the locking direction in the locking direction, and the same effect as the configuration of claim 1 can be obtained.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the two housings are fitted, the flexible arm receives this operating force and comes into contact with the force point protrusion, and rotates the rotating member. By activating the force amplifying function and promoting the fitting of both housings, the same effect as that of the configuration of claim 1 or claim 2 can be obtained.

  In addition, when a worker performs a fitting operation on both housings, the fitting of the housing is promoted simply by pressing one of the housings in the fitting operation direction, so that the housing can be stably fitted with a small operating force. Can be made.

  The connector according to the fourth aspect can obtain the same effects as those of the third aspect.

  In addition, after both housings are fitted, simply by pressing the rotating member in the fitting operation direction, the rotating member moves in the fitting operation direction, and the regulating arm presses the lock arm to release the lock. Is prevented.

  In this way, the operator presses one housing in the fitting operation direction to fit both housings, and after the fitting, the locking member is prevented from being released by simply pressing the rotating member in the same direction. be able to.

  As described above, since the fitting promotion and the unlocking prevention can be performed with the operation force in the same direction, the fitting operation direction of the housings 103 and 105 (arrow 113) and the insertion direction of the detection pin 117 (arrow 119) are different. Unlike the conventional example of the direction, the workability is extremely good and the workability is stable.

  The connector according to the fifth aspect can achieve the same effects as the structure according to the third or fourth aspect.

  In addition, the elastic force stored in the flexible arm when the housing is operated for fitting promotes the rotation of the rotating member, the cam groove operating force amplifying function is enhanced, and the housing is fitted. It becomes easier.

  The connector of the sixth aspect can obtain the same effect as that of the fourth aspect.

  Further, since the movement of the rotating member in the fitting operation direction is promoted by the elastic force stored in the flexible arm when the housing is fitted, the lock arm can be unlocked by the restriction arm. Further improve.

  The connector according to the seventh aspect can obtain the same effects as those of the first to sixth aspects.

  In addition, when the housing is not completely fitted, the elastic force stored in the flexible arm moves the rotating member from the complete display position indicating the completion of the fitting to the incomplete display position indicating the incomplete fitting. Unlike the conventional example in which the housings 103 and 105 are not fitted together, which is likely to be mistaken for the fitted state, it is possible to more clearly detect whether or not the fitting is completed. it can.

1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a connector 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a female housing 3 constituting a connector 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a male housing 5 constituting the connector 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a rotating member 7 constituting the connector 1. It is a side view of the connector 1 which shows a mode before fitting operation of the housings 3 and 5. FIG. It is a side view of the connector 1 which shows the mode in the middle of fitting operation of the housings 3 and 5. FIG. It is a side view of the connector 1 which shows the mode in the middle of fitting operation of the housings 3 and 5. FIG. It is a side view of the connector 1 which shows the mode in the middle of fitting operation of the housings 3 and 5. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the connector 1 immediately after fitting. It is a side view of the connector 1 which shows a mode that the rotation member 7 is pressed in a fitting operation direction after fitting is completed. It is sectional drawing of the connector 1 which shows a mode that the control arm 13 moves by pressing the rotation member 7 after completion of a fitting, and presses the lock arm 11 and prevents latch release. It is a side view which shows the lever type connector 101 of a prior art example.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the connector according to the present invention will be described.

  The connector 1 (one embodiment of the present invention) will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The connector 1 is rotated by receiving a fitting operation force between the female housing 3 that accommodates the female terminal fitting, the male housing 5 that accommodates the male terminal fitting, and the housings 3 and 5. Accordingly, there is a rotating member 7 that promotes the fitting of the housings 3 and 5.

  The male housing 5 (one of the housings 3, 5) is provided with a locking portion 9, and the flexible lock arm 11 locked to the locking portion 9 is connected to the female housing 3 (the other of the housings 3, 5). ), And the rotation member 7 is provided with a flexible restricting arm 13 that restricts the movement of the lock arm 11 in a state of being engaged with the engaging portion 9 to prevent the unlocking.

  Further, the locking portion 9 and the lock arm 11 are locked by the locking protrusion 15 provided on the locking portion 9 side being locked in the locking hole 17 provided on the lock arm 11 side. The rotating member 7 prevents the locking arm 11 from being released by pressing the lock arm 11 in the locking direction in the locking state.

  Further, the male housing 5 (one of the housings 3 and 5) is provided with a power point boss 19 (power point protrusion) serving as a power point and an action point boss 21 (action point protrusion) serving as an action point. Power point boss sliding groove 23 (power point projecting part sliding groove) in which the force point boss 19 engages and slides on the mold housing 3 (the other of the housings 3 and 5) during the fitting operation of both the housings 3 and 5 And an action point boss sliding groove 25 (action point protrusion sliding groove) on which the action point boss 21 is engaged and slid, and a fulcrum boss 27 (fulcrum protrusion) serving as a fulcrum on which the rotating member 7 rotates. And a notch 29 with which the action point boss 21 engages, a fulcrum boss support groove 31 (a fulcrum protrusion support groove) for supporting the fulcrum boss 27, and a flexible arm 33. The notch 29 is provided, and operates with the opening 35 into which the action point boss 21 enters and the turning member 7 turning. The operating force amplifying function has a cam groove 37 into which the action point boss 21 in the opening 35 is drawn. The fulcrum boss support groove 31 has a rotation support portion 39 that supports the fulcrum boss 27 and has a rotation center. When the housings 3 and 5 are engaged, the flexible arm 33 receives the operating force to cause the action point boss 21 to enter the opening 35 of the notch 29 and to contact the force point boss 19. The rotating member 7 is rotated about the moving support portion 39, and the two housings 3 and 5 are fitted via the action point boss 21 by the operation force amplifying function of the cam groove 37 that operates in accordance with the rotation. Promote.

  Further, the notch 29 of the rotating member 7 has an action point boss moving groove 41 provided in communication with the cam groove 37, and the fulcrum boss support groove 31 is provided in communication with the rotating support portion 39. When the rotating member 7 is pressed in this fitting operation direction after the housings 3 and 5 are fitted, the action point boss 21 acts from the cam groove 37 in the notch 29. While moving to the point boss moving groove 41, the fulcrum boss 27 is moved from the rotation support part 39 to the fulcrum boss moving groove 43 in the fulcrum boss support groove 31, whereby the rotation member 7 is moved in the fitting operation direction. The restricting arm 13 is moved to a position where it presses the lock arm 11 in the locking direction, and the unlocking is prevented.

  Further, the elastic force stored in the flexible arm 33 which is in contact with the force point boss 19 and is bent when both the housings 3 and 5 are engaged with each other promotes the rotation of the rotating member 7, and the cam The operation force amplification function of the groove 37 is strengthened.

  Further, the elastic force stored in the flexible arm 33 which is bent when both the housings 3 and 5 are subjected to the fitting operation causes the movement of the rotating member 7 in the fitting operation direction and the action point boss 21. The movement from the cam groove 37 to the action point boss moving groove 41 and the movement of the fulcrum boss 27 from the rotation support portion 39 to the fulcrum boss moving groove 43 are promoted.

  Further, when the housings 3 and 5 are not completely fitted, the completion display position 45 (FIGS. 8 and 8) indicates that the turning member 7 has been fitted by the elastic force stored in the flexible arm 33. The incomplete fitting can be detected by retreating from 10) to the incomplete display position 47 (FIG. 8) indicating incomplete fitting.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the female housing 3 accommodates the female terminal fittings in the four accommodating portions 51 provided in the fitting hood 49, and the male housing 5 accommodates the male accommodating portions 53 in the male accommodating portions 53. Houses type terminal fittings. The connector 1 presses the female housing 3 and fits the female terminal fitting and the male terminal fitting by attaching the packing 55 and the male housing 5 to the fitting hood 49 in this order. The female housing 3 is provided with a hand-held portion 57 for performing a pressing operation in this way. The male housing 5 is provided with a guide rib 59 integral with the action point boss 21, and the guide rib 59 slides in the action point boss sliding groove 25, so that the male housing is within the fitting hood 49. 5 slides smoothly. The flexible arm 33 is provided with a temporary locking rib 61, the female housing 3 is locked with the temporary locking rib 61, and the temporary locking rib 61 is movably accommodated. An avoidance groove 63 is provided.

  Next, the fitting procedure of the housings 3 and 5 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5 shows a state before the fitting operation. In this state, the packing 55 is already mounted in the fitting hood 49 of the female housing 3, and the temporary locking rib 61 of the flexible arm 33 is the female. The mold housing 3 is temporarily locked in the temporary locking rib avoiding groove 63.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the hand-held portion 57 is pressed to move the female housing 3 toward the male housing 5 (in the fitting operation direction), the male housing 5 enters the fitting hood 49 and the action point. The boss 21 enters the notch 29 (opening 35) of the flexible arm 33, the flexible arm 33 and the power point boss 19 come into contact, and the rotating member 7 starts to rotate. The temporary locking between the rib 61 and the temporary locking rib avoiding groove 63 is released.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the female housing 3 is further pressed, the flexible arm 33 starts to bend and the rotation of the rotation member 7 advances, and the action point boss 21 is drawn into the cam groove 37 of the notch 29.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the female housing 3 is further pressed, accumulation of the elastic force due to the bending of the flexible arm 33 proceeds, and the cam groove 37 moves the working point boss 21 with the rotation of the rotating member 7. Then, the male housing 5 is pulled into the female housing 3 side, and the fitting of the housings 3 and 5 is promoted by this operation force amplification function, and the fitting of the female terminal fitting and the male terminal fitting is completed.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, the locking projection 15 (locking portion 9) of the male housing 5 is locked to the locking hole 17 (lock arm 11) of the female housing 3. 7 has not yet moved to a position where the lock arm 11 is pressed (prevented from being unlocked).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 10, when the upper portion 65 of the rotating member 7 is pressed in the fitting operation direction of the housings 3, 5, the action point boss 21 moves from the cam groove 37 of the notch 29 to the action point boss moving groove 41. The fulcrum boss 27 moves from the rotation support part 39 of the fulcrum boss support groove 31 to the fulcrum boss movement groove 43, and the temporary locking rib 61 of the flexible arm 33 avoids the temporary locking rib of the female housing 3. Fully locked in the groove 63.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, the restricting arm 13 of the rotating member 7 moves to a position where the locking arm 11 locked to the locking projection 15 is pressed in the locking direction to prevent unlocking. Yes.

  Further, when the fitting between the housings 3 and 5 is incomplete, the end portion in the fitting direction of the rotating member 7 indicates the completion of fitting by the elastic force accumulated in the flexible arm 33. FIG. 10 from the complete display position 45 in FIG. 10 to the incomplete display position 47 in FIG. 8 indicating incomplete fitting, and the distance 69 (FIG. 8) between the complete display position 45 and the incomplete display position 47 is measured. It can be detected that the fitting is incomplete.

  When the connector 1 is operated to press the female housing 3 in the fitting direction with the male housing 5, the flexible arm 33 of the rotating member 7 comes into contact with the force point boss 19 in response to this operating force, and the rotating member 7. Is rotated to activate the operation force amplifying function of the cam groove 37 to promote the fitting of the housings 3 and 5. Further, after the housings 3 and 5 are fitted, when the rotating member 7 is further pressed in the same direction, the restricting arm 13 engages the lock arm 11 (housing 3) engaged with the engaging portion 9 (housing 5). Unlocking is prevented by pressing in the stopping direction.

  As described above, since the fitting of the housings 3 and 5 and the prevention of unlocking can be performed with only one rotating member 7, unlike the conventional example requiring two members, the number of parts is reduced and the cost is reduced. Can be implemented.

  In addition, since the promotion of fitting and the prevention of unlocking can be performed with the operating force in the same direction, the workability is extremely good and the workability is stable, unlike the conventional example.

  In addition, the elastic force stored in the flexible arm 33 when the housings 3 and 5 are engaged with each other promotes the rotation of the rotation member 7 and strengthens the operation force amplification function of the cam groove 37. Combined work becomes even easier.

  Further, since the movement of the rotating member 7 in the fitting operation direction is promoted by the elastic force stored in the flexible arm 33, the locking release function of the lock arm 11 by the restriction arm 13 is further improved.

  In addition, when the fitting of the housings 3 and 5 is incomplete, the elastic force stored in the flexible arm 33 moves the rotating member 7 back to the incomplete display position 47, which is different from the conventional example. It is possible to clearly detect whether or not the fitting is completed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Connector 3 Female housing 5 Male housing 7 Rotating member 9 Locking part 11 Locking arm 13 Control arm 15 Locking protrusion (Locking part 9)
17 Locking hole (lock arm 11)
19 Power point boss (Power point protrusion)
21 Action Point Boss (Action Point Projection)
23 Power point boss sliding groove (Power point protrusion sliding groove)
25 Action point boss sliding groove (working point protrusion sliding groove)
27 fulcrum boss (fulcrum protrusion)
29 Notch 31 Support point boss support groove (support point protrusion support groove)
33 Flexible arm 35 Opening 37 of the notch 29 Cam groove 39 of the notch 29 Rotation support part 41 of the fulcrum boss support groove 31 Action point boss moving groove 43 of the notch 29 Supporting boss moving groove 45 of the fulcrum boss support groove 31 Mating completion display position 47 Mating incomplete display position

Claims (7)

A female housing that accommodates female terminal fittings, a male housing that accommodates male terminal fittings, and an operating force for fitting the two housings to rotate, and with the rotation, A connector having a rotating member that promotes fitting,
A locking portion is provided on one of the housings,
A flexible lock arm that engages with the engagement portion is provided on the other of the housings,
The rotating member is provided with a flexible restricting arm that restricts movement of the lock arm in a state of being engaged with the engaging portion to prevent the unlocking. The connector according to claim 1,
The engagement between the engagement portion and the lock arm is performed by engaging an engagement projection provided on the engagement portion side with an engagement hole provided on the lock arm side,
The said rotation member prevents a latch release by pressing the lock arm in the latching state by the control arm in a latching direction. A connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein
One of the housings is provided with a force point protrusion that is a force point and an action point protrusion that is an action point,
A force point protrusion sliding groove in which the force point protrusion engages and slides with the other of the housings during a fitting operation of both housings, and an action point protrusion in which the action point protrusion engages and slides. A sliding groove and a fulcrum protrusion serving as a fulcrum for the rotating member to rotate,
The rotating member is provided with a notch with which the action point protrusion engages, a fulcrum protrusion support groove for supporting the fulcrum protrusion, and a flexible arm,
The notch has an opening into which the action point protrusion enters, and a cam groove that pulls in the action point protrusion in the opening by an operation force amplification function that operates in accordance with the rotation of the rotation member.
The fulcrum protrusion support groove has a rotation support part that supports the fulcrum protrusion and has a rotation center.
The flexible arm receives the operating force when the two housings are fitted to each other, causes the action point protrusion to enter the opening of the notch, and contacts the force point protrusion to support the rotation. The rotating member is rotated around the center, and the operation force amplifying function of the cam groove that operates along with the rotation is used to promote the fitting of the two housings via the action point protrusion. connector. The connector according to claim 3, wherein
The notch of the rotating member has an action point protruding portion moving groove provided in communication with the cam groove, and the fulcrum protruding portion supporting groove is provided in communication with the rotating support portion. Part moving groove,
After the housings are fitted, when the rotating member is pressed in this fitting operation direction, the action point protrusion moves from the cam groove to the action point protrusion movement groove in the notch, and the fulcrum protrusion In the support groove, when the fulcrum protrusion moves from the rotation support part to the fulcrum protrusion movement groove, the rotation member moves in the fitting operation direction, and the restriction arm moves to a position where it presses the lock arm in the locking direction. Thus, the release of the lock is prevented. A connector according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein
The elastic force stored in the flexible arm that is bent in contact with the force point protrusion when the two housings are fitted,
A connector that promotes the rotation of the rotating member and reinforces an operation force amplification function of the cam groove. A connector according to claim 4, wherein
The elastic force stored in the flexible arm that is bent in contact with the force point protrusion when the two housings are fitted,
The movement of the turning member in the fitting operation direction, the movement of the action point protrusion from the cam groove to the action point protrusion movement groove, and the movement of the fulcrum protrusion from the rotation support part to the fulcrum protrusion movement groove A connector characterized by promoting. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
When the fitting of the two housings is incomplete, the rotating member is fitted from the completion display position indicating the completion of fitting by the elastic force stored in the flexible arm that is bent against the force point protrusion. A connector that makes it possible to detect incomplete fitting by retreating to an incomplete display position indicating incompleteness.

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