JP2010272420A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve reliability of a detection operation by a detecting member. <P>SOLUTION: When both connector housings 10, 70 are normally engaged, movement of the detecting member 50 from a waiting position to a detection position is permitted. Free movement of the detecting member 50 to the detection position is regulated by locking of a third stopper 18 (stopper for detection operation) of a first connector housing 10 with a third locking part 60 (locking part for detection operation) of the detecting member 50. When an operating force exceeding the locking force of the third locking part 60 and the third stopper 18 is given to the detecting member 50, locking of the third locking part 60 and the third stopper 18 is released, and the detecting member 50 moves all at once to the detection position by the operating force given. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a connector having a function of detecting a fitting state between a first connector housing and a second connector housing. In this connector, the detection member is provided on the first connector housing, and the detection member can be moved from the standby position to the detection position only when the first connector housing and the second connector housing are correctly fitted. ing.

JP 2004-63090 A

  In the above connector, when the detection member reaches the detection position during the detection operation by the detection member, the elastic arm provided on the detection member moves over the step and elastically returns, and the elastic arm that has returned elastically returns to the first connector housing. It is supposed to collide. Then, the operator determines whether or not the detection member has correctly reached the detection position based on the presence or absence of sound generated at the time of the collision.

  However, when the noise at the site where the connector is fitted and detected is loud, there is a risk of hearing the collision sound. Further, when the connector is downsized, the bending allowance of the elastic arm is also reduced, so that the collision sound is reduced and the operator may miss the collision sound. The fact that the collision sound that informs that the detection member has reached the detection position is not reliably transmitted to the operator means that the reliability of the detection operation by the detection member is low.

  The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to improve the reliability of the detection operation by the detection member.

  As means for achieving the above object, the invention of claim 1 includes a first connector housing, a detection member provided on the first connector housing so as to be movable between a standby position and a detection position, A second connector housing that can be fitted to the first connector housing is provided, and when the first connector housing and the second connector housing are in the middle of fitting, movement of the detection member from the standby position to the detection position is restricted. In the connector, the movement of the detection member from the standby position to the detection position is allowed only when the first connector housing and the second connector housing have reached a proper fitting state. The first connector housing is formed with a detection operation stopper, and the detection member is in the state where the detection member is in a standby position. A detection operation locking portion that is locked to the action stopper is formed, and the detection operation locking portion is locked to the detection operation stopper, thereby restricting free movement of the detection member to the detection position, When an operation force exceeding the locking force between the detection operation locking portion and the detection operation stopper is applied to the detection member, the lock between the detection operation lock portion and the detection operation stopper is released. The detection member is moved to the detection position at once by the applied operating force.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the first connector housing is formed with a front stop stopper, and the detection member has the front stop with the detection member in a standby position. By engaging with the stopper, a front stop locking portion that restricts the movement of the detection member to the detection position is formed, and the locking force between the front stop locking portion and the front stop stopper is And the locking force for the detection operation and the stopper for the detection operation exceed the locking force for the front stop as the first connector housing and the second connector housing are engaged with each other. It is characterized in that the locking with the front stop stopper is released.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the detection member is elastically displaced by the second connector housing during the fitting process of the first connector housing and the second connector housing. The arm portion is formed, and the arm portion is formed with the detection operation locking portion and the front stop locking portion, and the detection operation locking portion according to the elastic displacement of the arm portion. And the detection operation stopper are reduced, and the engagement between the front stop stopper and the front stop stopper is released.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the arm portion is formed in a cantilevered shape, and the locking portion for the front stop is in the extending direction of the arm portion. It is characterized in that it is arranged at a position on the extended end side with respect to the detection operation locking portion.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the cover according to any one of the first to fourth aspects is configured such that a cover that covers a terminal fitting attached to the first connector housing is assembled to the first connector housing. The cover is interfered with the detection member when the detection member is assembled to the first connector housing when the cover is not properly assembled to the first connector housing. It is characterized in that an interference part that inhibits the movement of the detection member from the standby position to the detection position is formed.

<Invention of Claim 1>
The detection member is always held at the standby position by the locking action of the detection operation locking portion and the detection operation stopper. When the detection operation is performed, the detection member moves to the detection position all at once if an operation force exceeding the engagement force between the detection operation locking portion and the detection operation stopper is applied to the detection member. Therefore, there is no possibility that the detection member stays at a halfway position between the standby position and the detection position, the detection member can be surely reached the detection position, and the reliability of the detection operation is excellent.

<Invention of Claim 2>
Before the first connector housing and the second connector housing are fitted together, the detection member can be reliably held at the standby position by the locking action of the front locking portion and the front locking stopper. Thereby, the detection operation of the detection member using the locking action between the detection operation locking portion and the detection operation stopper can be reliably performed. In addition, since the locking of the front stop locking portion and the front stop stopper is released when the two connector housings are fitted, there is an obstacle to the detection operation of the detection member after the two connector housings are properly fitted. Never come.

<Invention of Claim 3>
In a state before the connector housings are fitted together, a sufficient allowance is secured between the detection operation locking portion and the detection operation stopper, and the front stop locking portion and the front stop stopper are locked. Since the allowance is sufficiently secured, the detection member is reliably held at the standby position. In addition, since the locking margin between the detection operation locking portion and the detection operation stopper decreases with the fitting of the two connector housings, the operating force applied to the detection member when the detection member performs the detection operation is reduced. , Don't get too big. That is, the detection member can be reliably held at the standby position without hindering the detection operation.

<Invention of Claim 4>
Since the front stop locking portion is disposed at a position relatively close to the extending end of the arm portion, the locking margin between the front stop locking portion and the front stop stopper due to the elastic displacement of the arm portion is reduced. A large amount of fluctuation, that is, a locking allowance between the front stop locking portion and the front stop stopper when the detection member is held at the standby position is ensured. Therefore, the detection member can be reliably held at the standby position.

  On the other hand, the detection operation locking portion is disposed at a position relatively close to the base end portion of the arm portion, contrary to the front stop locking portion, so that the arm portion extends in the bending direction of the arm portion. Even if there is a variation in the position of the end portion, the variation in the locking allowance between the detection operation locking portion and the detection operation stopper may be small. Therefore, the magnitude of the operating force to be applied to the detection member in order to cause the detection member to perform the detection operation is stable, and the operability when performing the detection work is excellent.

<Invention of Claim 5>
When the detection member is assembled to the first connector housing, if the cover is assembled in a correct posture with respect to the first connector housing, the detection member can be moved from the standby position to the detection position without any trouble. On the other hand, when the detection member is assembled in a state where the cover is not properly assembled to the first connector housing, the detection member can be moved to the detection position without any trouble due to interference between the detection member and the interference portion. Disappear. Therefore, the assembled state of the cover with respect to the first connector housing can be detected based on whether or not the detection member can be moved from the standby position to the detection position without hindrance.

The front view of the 1st connector housing of Embodiment 1 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1 showing a state where the detection member is in the standby position in the first connector housing. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 1 showing a state in which the detection member is in the standby position in the first connector housing. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 1 showing a state in which the detection member is in the standby position in the first connector housing. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG. 1 showing a state in which the detection member is in the standby position in the first connector housing. Front view showing a state in which the cover is assembled in an incorrect posture in the first connector housing 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E in FIG. 6 showing a state in which the assembly operation of the detection member is hindered in the first connector housing. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF in FIG. 6 showing a state in which the assembly operation of the detection member is hindered in the first connector housing. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line GG in FIG. 6 showing a state where the cover is assembled in an incorrect posture in the first connector housing. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. 6 showing a state where the detection member is forcibly assembled to the first connector housing in which the cover is assembled in an incorrect posture. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF in FIG. 6 showing a state in which the detection member is forcibly assembled to the first connector housing in which the cover is assembled in an incorrect posture. Front view showing a state of fitting with the second connector housing in the first connector housing HH line sectional view of Drawing 12 showing the state where fitting of the 1st connector housing and the 2nd connector housing was started FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II of FIG. 12 showing a state in the middle of fitting between the first connector housing and the second connector housing. JJ line sectional view of Drawing 12 showing the state in the middle of fitting of the 1st connector housing and the 2nd connector housing JJ line sectional view of Drawing 12 showing the state where fitting of the 1st connector housing and the 2nd connector housing was completed FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I in FIG. 12, showing a state where the fitting of the first connector housing and the second connector housing is completed and the detection member has moved to the detection position 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line JJ of FIG. 12 showing a state in which the fitting of the first connector housing and the second connector housing is completed and the detection member has moved to the detection position. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line HH in FIG. 12 showing a state where the fitting of the first connector housing and the second connector housing is completed and the detection member has moved to the detection position. A longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the terminal fitting, the cover, and the detection member are attached to the first connector housing. A perspective view of the first connector housing Perspective view of cover Perspective view of detection member Front view of detection member Plan view of detection member

<Embodiment 1>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The connector of the present embodiment includes a first connector housing 10 and a second connector housing 70 that can be fitted to each other so that their front faces face each other. A terminal fitting 30, a cover 40, and a detection member 50 are assembled to the first connector housing 10. In the following description, the fitting direction of the connector housings 10 and 70 is simply referred to as the fitting direction. Moreover, a fitting direction and the front-back direction are used synonymously, the front side and the front are used synonymously, and the back of the back side is used synonymously.

  The first connector housing 10 is made of synthetic resin, and has a pair of left and right cavities 11 that open on the back surface of the first connector housing 10 as means for receiving the terminal fitting 30. As shown in FIG. 20, the cavity 11 extends downward along the back surface of the first connector housing 10 from the rear end of the first chamber in a form that penetrates the first connector housing 10 in the front-rear direction. It is comprised from the 2nd chamber of the form. The first connector housing 10 has two left and right holding cutouts 12 formed on the left and right side edges of the first connector housing 10 as means for holding the cover 40 in the assembled state. A holding projection 13 is formed on the upper surface of the housing 10. Further, a front guide hole 14 for guiding the guide bar 55 of the detection member 50 is formed through the first connector housing 10.

  The first connector housing 10 is formed with a pair of symmetrical front through holes 15 as means for penetrating the arm portion 56 and the wall portion 52 of the detection member 50 from the rear. Both front through holes 15 include a through region disposed so as to sandwich the cavity 11 from both left and right sides, and a through region disposed above both the cavities 11. A region facing the lock arm 19 on the inner wall surface of the left and right front through-holes 15 is a pair of symmetrical support portions 16. This support part 16 exhibits the function to support the wall part 52 of the detection member 50 mentioned later from the width direction inner side.

  On the inner wall surface of the front through-hole 15, a first stopper 17 (having a shape in which the first connector housing 10 is notched in a step shape in a cross section obtained by horizontally cutting the first connector housing 10 and has a surface facing the rear of the first connector housing 10 ( A front stop stopper, which is a constituent feature of the present invention, is formed. The first stopper 17 is bilaterally symmetric, is not easily deformed, and is positioned above the support portion 16.

  Similarly, on the inner wall surface of the front through-hole 15, a third stopper 18 having a surface facing the rear of the first connector housing 10 is formed in a stepped shape in a cross section obtained by cutting the first connector housing 10 horizontally. A stopper for detection operation which is a constituent element of the present invention is formed. The third stopper 18 is disposed behind the first stopper 17, at a position lower than the first stopper 17 and higher than the support portion 16. The third stopper 18 is also bilaterally symmetric like the first stopper 17 and is not easily deformed.

  The left and right side edges of the first connector housing 10 are cantilevered forward (front side) as means for locking (holding) the first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 70 in a properly fitted state. A pair of symmetrical lock arms 19 projecting in a shape are formed. The pair of lock arms 19 are positioned so as to sandwich the front through-hole 15 from both the left and right sides, and the shape viewed from the front of the lock arm 19 forms an arc shape along the side edge of the front through-hole 15. Yes. The lock arm 19 is always held in the locked position (see FIGS. 3 and 16), but elastically moves in the left-right direction intersecting the fitting direction with the rear end portion (base end portion) of the lock arm 19 as a fulcrum. By bending, it can be displaced to a lock release position (see FIG. 15) on the inner side in the width direction than the lock position.

  A lock projection 20 is formed on the extended end (front end) of the lock arm 19 so as to protrude outward. Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 13, the position of the inner surface of the lock arm 19 closer to the base end side (rear side) than the lock protrusion 20 is notched in a step shape when viewed from above, and is first A second stopper 21 having a surface facing the rear of the connector housing 10 is formed.

  The terminal fitting 30 is formed by bending a metal plate material punched into a predetermined shape, and as shown in FIG. 20, a body portion 31 that is elongated in the front-rear direction and a wire connection portion 32 that is elongated in the vertical direction. Are integrally formed and bent so as to form a substantially L-shape as a whole. The upper end portion of the electric wire 33 is connected to the electric wire connecting portion 32, and this connecting portion is surrounded by the holder 34. The terminal fitting 30 is attached to the first connector housing 10 from the rear. At the time of attachment, the main body 31 is inserted into the first chamber, and the wire connecting portion 32 and the holder 34 are accommodated in the second chamber.

  The cover 40 is made of a synthetic resin and has a plate shape as a whole. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 22, the cover 40 is formed with a pair of left and right wall-like holding portions 41 that protrude forward from both left and right side edges, and a frame-like holding portion 42 that protrudes forward from the upper edge. ing. The cover 40 is assembled to the first connector housing 10 so as to come into contact with the back surface from the rear (that is, so as to close the opening of the cavity 11 and hold the terminal fitting 30 in the cavity 11). In the assembled state, as shown in FIG. 5, the pair of left and right wall-shaped holding portions 41 are locked to the holding cutout portion 12, and the frame-shaped holding portion 42 on the upper edge is locked to the holding protrusion 13. By these locking actions, the cover 40 is locked (held) to the first connector housing 10 in an assembled state.

  The cover 40 is formed with a pair of left and right rear through holes 43 so as to correspond to the front through holes 15 of the first connector housing 10, and the rear guide holes so as to correspond to the front guide holes 14. 44 is formed in a penetrating form. Further, a part of the opening edge of the rear through-hole 43 is an interference part 45. The interference portion 45 is configured to interfere with the detection member 50 when the cover 40 is improperly assembled to the first connector housing 10, and the assembled state of the cover 40 is illegal due to this interference action. Can be detected.

  The detection member 50 is made of synthetic resin, and integrally includes a bilaterally symmetric plate-like portion 51, a pair of bilaterally symmetric walls 52, a single guide bar 55, and a pair of bilaterally symmetric arms 56. Formed. The wall portion 52 is cantilevered from the left and right side edges of the plate-like portion 51 to the front (front side), and has a curved shape when viewed from the front. A retaining protrusion 53 is formed on the outer surface of each wall 52. Similarly, a second locking portion 54 is formed on the outer surface of the wall portion 52 in front of the retaining protrusion 53 and has a step shape when viewed from above. Further, the guide bar 55 has a shape that is elongated in a cantilevered manner forward from the plate-like portion 51. The guide bar 55 is located at the center of the plate-like portion 51 in the left-right direction, and is located at the lower end portion of the plate-like portion 51 in the vertical direction.

  The arm portion 56 has a form that cantilevered forward from the plate-like portion 51, the arm portion 56 is positioned above the wall portion 52 in the vertical direction, and the arm portion 56 is the wall portion 52 in the left-right direction. Is located on the inside. The arm portion 56 is always held in the locking position (see FIGS. 2 and 3), but in the left-right direction intersecting the fitting direction with the rear end portion (base end portion) of the arm portion 56 as a fulcrum. By being elastically bent, it can be displaced to a disengagement position (see FIGS. 14 to 16) on the outer side in the width direction than the locking position.

  The arm portion 56 is formed integrally with the upper and lower two-stage arm pieces 57 and 58 being stacked one above the other. The extension dimension of the upper arm piece 57 forward from the plate-like portion 51 is shorter than the extension dimension of the lower arm piece 58. Further, the width dimension of the upper arm piece 57 is thinner than the width dimension of the lower arm piece 58, and the outer surface of the upper arm piece 57 and the outer surface of the lower arm piece 58 are flush with each other. Therefore, the inner surface of the upper arm piece 57 is recessed from the inner surface of the lower arm piece 58.

  The extended end portion (front end portion) of the upper arm piece 57 is formed with a first locking portion 59 (front locking portion that is a constituent feature of the present invention) that protrudes inward from the inner surface thereof. . The formation area of the first locking portion 59 in plan view is within the range of the upper surface of the lower arm piece 58. That is, the first locking portion 59 does not protrude inward from the inner surface of the lower arm piece 58. The front surface of the first locking portion 59 is a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the fitting direction, but the rear surface of the first locking portion 59 is a tapered surface that is inclined with respect to the fitting direction.

  The lower arm piece 58 is formed with a third locking portion 60 (detection operation locking portion which is a constituent feature of the present invention) that protrudes inward from the inner surface thereof. The third locking portion 60 is disposed behind the first locking portion 59, that is, at a position on the proximal end side of the arm portion 56. As shown in FIG. 3, in a state where the arm portion 56 is in the locking position, the front surface and the rear surface of the third locking portion 60 are both inclined with respect to the fitting direction. Further, when the arm portion 56 is displaced to the disengagement position, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the front surface of the third locking portion 60 is substantially perpendicular to the fitting direction. Further, a release protrusion 61 that protrudes inward from the inner side surface is formed on the extended end portion of the lower arm piece 58. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the front surface and the rear surface of the release protrusion 61 are both inclined with respect to the fitting direction.

  The second connector housing 70 is formed integrally with a device (not shown), and has a hood portion 71 protruding to the front side as shown in FIGS. On the inner periphery of the hood portion 71, a pair of lock portions 72 having a recessed portion are formed symmetrically. In addition, a pair of left-right symmetrical release portions 73 is formed in the hood portion 71. The release portion 73 is the center position of the hood portion 71 in the width direction, and is disposed at the same height as the lower arm piece 58 of the arm portion 56 in the vertical direction.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
First, a procedure for assembling the terminal fitting 30, the cover 40, and the detection member 50 to the first connector housing 10 will be described. Initially, the terminal fitting 30 in a state where the electric wire 33 has been crimped and the holder 34 is attached is accommodated in the cavity 11 of the first connector housing 10 from the back side. Thereafter, the cover 40 is assembled from the back side. In the assembly process, the pair of wall-shaped holding portions 41 are elastically deformed so as to expand in the left-right direction, and the frame-shaped holding portion 42 is elastically displaced upward. When the cover 40 is assembled to the first connector housing 10 in the correct position and orientation, the wall-like holding portion 41 is elastically restored and locked to the holding cutout portion 12 and the frame-like holding portion 42 is held. The cover 40 is locked (held) in the assembled state with respect to the first connector housing 10 by being locked to the projection 13 and by these locking actions.

  After the cover 40 is assembled, the detection member 50 is assembled to the first connector housing 10 from the back side. When assembling, the arm portion 56 and the wall portion 52 are inserted through the rear through hole 43 of the cover 40 and the front through hole 15 of the first connector housing 10 in this order, and the guide bar 55 is inserted into the rear guide hole 44 and the front portion. The guide holes 14 are sequentially fitted. By the fitting of the guide bar 55 and the front and rear guide holes 14 and 44, the detection member 50 is correctly controlled with respect to the first connector housing 10 and the cover 40 with respect to the horizontal tilt and the vertical and horizontal relative displacement. Can be assembled while maintaining the positional relationship.

  In the middle of assembly, the third locking portion 60 and the retaining projection 53 are locked to the opening edge of the rear through-hole 43. When a pressing force exceeding this locking force is applied to the detection member 50, the wall portion 52 and As the arm portion 56 is elastically bent, the third locking portion 60 and the retaining protrusion 53 pass through the rear through hole 43. When the detection member 50 is pushed into the first assembly position with respect to the first connector housing 10 and reaches the standby position, the first locking portion 59 is moved from the rear with respect to the first stopper 17 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the third locking portion 60 is locked from behind with respect to the third stopper 18, and the detection member 50 is stopped in the standby position by these locking actions. Retained.

  At this time, the first locking portion 59 and the first stopper 17 are locked in contact with each other, and the locking surface is perpendicular to the front-rear direction (that is, the attaching / detaching direction of the detection member 50 with respect to the first connector housing 10). It is slightly inclined with respect to various directions. The direction of this inclination is that the arm portion 56 extends in the direction (in the width direction) in which the locking margin between the first locking portion 59 and the first stopper 17 increases when a forward pushing force acts on the detection member 50. It is the direction to displace. Therefore, the detection member 50 is reliably stopped in front by the locking of the first locking portion 59 and the first stopper 17.

  Further, the front surface of the third locking portion 60 is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction. The direction of the inclination is determined when the forward pushing force is applied to the detection member 50. In this direction, the arm portion 56 is displaced in a direction (outside in the width direction) in which a locking margin between the first stopper 18 and the third stopper 18 decreases. Therefore, the locking force between the first locking portion 59 and the first stopper 17 exceeds the locking force between the third locking portion 60 and the third stopper 18.

  Further, at the same time when the detection member 50 reaches the standby position, as shown in FIG. 4, the retaining projection 53 approaches the opening edge of the rear through-hole 43 so as to be able to be locked from the front and face the opening edge. . As a result, even if a tensile force in the backward direction (withdrawal direction) is applied to the detection member 50, the retaining protrusion 53 is locked from the front with respect to the opening edge of the rear through hole 43, whereby the detection member 50 is detached. Is regulated. As described above, the detection member 50 is held at the standby position.

  The first connector housing 10 in which the terminal fitting 30, the cover 40, and the detection member 50 are assembled as described above is fitted with the second connector housing 70. In this fitting, the first connector housing 10 is fitted into the hood portion 71. At this time, the back surface (rear end surface) of the plate-like portion 51 of the detection member 50 can be used as an operation surface for pushing operation. When the first connector housing 10 starts to be fitted into the hood portion 71, the lock projection 20 of the lock arm 19 interferes with the leading edge of the hood portion 71, so that the lock arm 19 moves in the width direction from the lock position toward the lock release position. Begins inward elastic displacement. When the elastic displacement of the lock arm 19 starts, as shown in FIG. 13, the second stopper 21 of the lock arm 19 is locked to the second locking portion 54 of the detection member 50, and this locking action causes the detection member 50 to be locked. Is stopped before.

  Further, until the second locking portion 54 and the second stopper 21 start locking, the arm portion 56 is moved from the locking position to the disengaged position by the locking of the release protrusion 61 and the releasing portion 73. The elastic displacement toward the outer side in the width direction reduces the locking allowance between the first locking portion 59 and the first stopper 17, but the first locking portion 59 and the first stopper 17 Although the cost is small, the locked state is maintained. Therefore, even if the detection member 50 receives a pressing force from the rear, the locking action between the second locking portion 54 and the second stopper 21, and the first locking portion 59 and the first stopper 17. The movement to the detection position is reliably regulated by the two locking actions called the locking action, and is reliably held at the standby position.

  After the engagement of the two connector housings 10 and 70 after the second locking portion 54 and the second stopper 21 are locked, the first locking portion 59 is completely removed from the first stopper 17 as shown in FIG. And the front stop function due to the locking action between the first locking portion 59 and the first stopper 17 disappears. However, during this time, the amount of elastic displacement toward the inside in the width direction of the lock arm 19 (that is, the direction approaching the wall portion 52) increases, so that the locking action between the second stopper 21 and the second locking portion 54 continues. is doing.

  In addition, since the wall part 52 receives the pressing force from the lock arm 19, there is a concern that the wall part 52 may be displaced so as to escape inward in the width direction. However, the support portion 16 of the first connector housing 10 abuts against the inner surface of the wall portion 52 in a contact state, and the wall portion 52 is supported from the side opposite to the lock arm 19 by this contact. 52 is not displaced in the direction of escaping from the lock arm 19. Therefore, there is no possibility that the locking margin between the second locking portion 54 and the second stopper 21 is reduced or the locking is dissociated.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the third locking portion 60 and the third stopper 18 maintain the locked state although the locking allowance is reduced, and the third locking portion 60 and The locking surface with the third stopper 18 is oriented substantially perpendicular to the front-rear direction. Therefore, even if the detection member 50 receives a pressing force from the rear, the locking action between the second locking portion 54 and the second stopper 21 and the locking between the third locking portion 60 and the third stopper 18 are achieved. It is reliably held at the standby position by the action.

  After the locking of the first locking portion 59 and the first stopper 17 is released, as shown in FIGS. , 70 is parallel to the fitting direction, the arm portion 56 is not displaced from the disengagement position. Accordingly, the locking between the first locking portion 59 and the first stopper 17 remains released, and the locking state between the third locking portion 60 and the third stopper 18 also remains maintained. Therefore, even if a pressing force from the rear acts on the detection member 50, the detection member 50 is held at the standby position.

  When the two connector housings 10 and 70 reach the proper fitting state, as shown in FIG. 16, the lock arm 19 is elastically returned from the unlock position to the lock position, and the lock protrusion 20 is engaged with the lock portion 72. Combine. Due to the engagement between the lock arm 19 and the lock portion 72, the two connector housings 10 and 70 are locked in a proper fitting state. Further, when the lock arm 19 is elastically returned to the locked position, the second stopper 21 is disengaged from the second locking portion 54, and the front of the detection member 50 due to the locking action of the second locking portion 54 and the second stopper 21. Stop function disappears. However, the detection member 50 is held at the standby position by the locking action between the third locking portion 60 and the third stopper 18.

  After the fitting work of both the connector housings 10 and 70 is completed, the plate-like portion 51 is pushed from the rear to push the detection member 50 from the standby position to the detection position. At this time, a pressing operation force that exceeds the locking force between the third locking portion 60 and the third stopper 18 is applied to the detection member 50. Then, while the arm portion 56 is elastically displaced outward in the width direction, the third locking portion 60 gets over the third stopper 18, and the detection member 50 reaches the detection position at once.

  In the state where the detection member 50 has moved to the detection position, the release protrusion 61 passes through the release portion 73 as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, and the first locking portion 59 as shown in FIG. 18 and the third locking portion 60 passes through the third stopper 18 as shown in FIG. 18, so that the arm portion 56 elastically returns from the disengagement position to the locking position. And since the 1st latching | locking part 59 latches from the front with respect to the 1st stopper 17, the 3rd latching | locking part 60 latches from the front with respect to the 3rd stopper 18, Therefore The detection member 50 is standby. Movement to the position side is restricted and held at the detection position.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 19, the wall 52 is in contact with or close to the inner surface of the lock arm 19 so as to face each other, so that the lock arm 19 is displaced from the lock position to the lock release position. The connector housings 10 and 70 are securely locked in the fitted state.

  When the connector housings 10 and 70 are detached, the detection member 50 is pulled back from the detection position to the standby position using a jig or the like. At this time, the locking surface between the first locking portion 59 and the first stopper 17 and the locking surface between the third locking portion 60 and the third stopper 18 are both in the front-rear direction (from the detection position to the standby position). In the direction of moving the detection member 50). Therefore, when a rearward tensile force is applied to the detection member 50, the arm portion 56 is easily elastically bent, and the first locking portion 59 and the third locking portion 60 are respectively connected to the first stopper 17 and the third locking portion 60. Dissociates from the stopper 18.

  When the detection member 50 is returned to the standby position, the first connector housing 10 may be pulled away from the second connector housing 70. At this time, since the locking surface of the lock protrusion 20 with the lock portion 72 is inclined with respect to the fitting direction of the two connector housings 10 and 70, the lock is applied when a tensile force is applied to the first connector housing 10. The arm 19 easily elastically bends, and the lock projection 20 is disengaged from the lock portion 72, and the lock by the lock arm 19 is released.

  Next, a case where the cover 40 is not correctly assembled to the first connector housing 10 will be described. When the cover 40 is improperly assembled and one of the left and right wall-shaped holding portions 41 is not correctly locked to the holding cutout portion 12 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the cover 40 is inclined with respect to the first connector housing 10.

  When the detection member 50 is to be assembled in this state, the detection member 50 is inclined with respect to the first connector housing 10 during the assembly, and the release protrusion 61 of one arm portion 56 as shown in FIG. Is strongly abutted against the surface slightly ahead of the third stopper 18, and the tip of one wall portion 52 is strongly abutted against the support portion 16 as shown in FIG. Therefore, even if it tries to push in the detection member 50 as it is, the frictional resistance of the part which has contact | abutted strongly is large, and an assembly | attachment operation | work is inhibited. Thereby, it is possible to detect that the assembled state of the cover 40 is illegal.

  When the detection member 50 is forcibly pushed from the state shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the inner surface of the base end portion of one arm portion 56 and the base end of the other arm portion 56 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, the outer surface of one wall portion 52 and the outer surface of the other wall portion 52 correspond to each other, as shown in FIG. It strongly abuts against the interference part 45. Accordingly, even if the connector housings 10 and 70 are fitted in this state, and then the detection member 50 is pushed into the detection position, the frictional resistance generated at the portion that strongly contacts the interference portion 45 is large. Moreover, in order to move the detection member 50 to the detection position, a pushing operation force that exceeds the locking force of the third locking portion 60 and the third stopper 18 is required. Cannot be pushed into. Therefore, it is possible to detect that the assembled state of the cover 40 is incorrect even after the connector housings 10 and 70 are fitted together.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the third locking portion 60 is locked to the third stopper 18 to restrict the detection member 50 from freely moving from the standby position to the detection position. When performing, the detection member 50 is moved to a detection position at a stretch by giving the detection member 50 an operating force that exceeds the engagement force between the third locking portion 60 and the third stopper 18. Therefore, there is no possibility that the detection member 50 stays at a halfway position between the standby position and the detection position, the detection member 50 can be reliably reached at the detection position, and the reliability of the detection operation is excellent.

  Further, in a state before the connector housings 10 and 70 are fitted together, the first locking portion 59 and the first stopper 17 have a locking force larger than the locking force of the third locking portion 60 and the third stopper 18. Since the detection member 50 is held at the standby position by this locking action, the detection member 50 can be reliably held at the standby position. Thereby, the detection operation of the detection member 50 using the locking action between the third locking portion 60 and the third stopper 18 can be reliably performed.

  Further, since the locking of the first locking portion 59 and the first stopper 17 is released with the fitting of the two connector housings 10 and 70, the detection member after the two connector housings 10 and 70 are properly fitted. 50 detection operations are not hindered.

  In addition, an arm portion 56 that is elastically displaced by the second connector housing 70 in the process of fitting both the connector housings 10, 70 is formed on the detection member 50, and the third locking portion 60 and the first engagement are formed on the arm portion 56. A stop 59 was formed. Thereby, in the state before fitting both the connector housings 10 and 70, while the locking allowance of the 3rd latching | locking part 60 and the 3rd stopper 18 is fully ensured, the 1st latching | locking part 59 and the 1st Since a sufficient allowance for locking with the stopper 17 is ensured, the detection member 50 is reliably held at the standby position.

  Further, as the connector housings 10 and 70 are fitted together, the arm portion 56 is elastically displaced so that the locking margin between the third locking portion 60 and the third stopper 18 is reduced. Therefore, the operation force applied to the detection member 50 when the detection operation is performed is not excessively increased. That is, the detection member 50 can be reliably held at the standby position without hindering the detection operation. As the connector housings 10 and 70 are fitted together, the locking between the first locking portion 59 and the first stopper 17 is released, so that the locking between the first locking portion 59 and the first stopper 17 occurs. The structure does not hinder the detection operation of the detection member 50.

  Further, after the arm portion 56 is extended in a cantilevered manner, the first locking portion 59 is positioned on the extending end side with respect to the third locking portion 60 in the extending direction of the arm portion 56. Arranged. That is, since the first locking portion 59 is disposed at a position relatively close to the extending end of the arm portion 56, the first locking portion 59 and the first stopper 17 due to the elastic displacement of the arm portion 56. A variation amount of the locking margin, that is, a large locking margin between the first locking portion 59 and the first stopper 17 when the detection member 50 is held at the standby position is ensured. Therefore, the detection member 50 can be reliably held at the standby position.

  On the other hand, since the third locking portion 60 is disposed at a position relatively close to the base end portion of the arm portion 56, contrary to the first locking portion 59, the arm portion 56 in the bending direction of the arm portion 56. Even if there is variation in the position of the extended end portion, the variation in the locking allowance between the third locking portion 60 and the third stopper 18 may be small. Therefore, the magnitude of the operating force to be applied to the detection member 50 in order to cause the detection member 50 to perform the detection operation is stable, and the operability when performing the detection work is excellent.

  In addition, when the detection member 50 is assembled to the first connector housing 10 in a state in which the cover 40 is not properly assembled to the first connector housing 10, the cover 40 interferes with the detection member 50 to cause the detection member 50 to interfere with the first connector housing 10. An interference unit 45 that inhibits movement from the standby position to the detection position is formed. Therefore, the assembled state of the cover 40 with respect to the first connector housing 10 can be detected based on whether or not the detection member 50 can be moved from the standby position to the detection position without any problem.

  Moreover, in the fitting process of both the connector housings 10 and 70, first, the movement of the detection member 50 from the standby position to the detection position is restricted by the locking action of the first locking portion 59 and the first stopper 17. Thereafter, the movement of the detection member 50 from the standby position to the detection position is restricted by the locking action of the second locking portion 54 and the second stopper 21. In the present embodiment, as a means for restricting the detection member 50 from moving from the standby position to the right detection position, one part does not move between the two locking parts, but the locking parts 59 and 54. Since two sets of locking means by the stoppers 17 and 21 are provided so as to be locked independently of each other, it is possible to create a double locking state in which both locking means lock. Yes. Therefore, even when the connector housings 10 and 70 are fitted with the detection member 50 applied with the pressing force toward the detection position, the detection is performed before the connector housings 10 and 70 reach the normal fitting state. It is possible to avoid the member 50 from moving to the detection position.

  Moreover, since the wall part 52 in which the 2nd latching | locking part 54 is formed becomes a curved form, rigidity is high and it is hard to deform | transform. Therefore, the reliability of the locking action between the second locking portion 54 and the second stopper 21 is high.

  Further, the first connector housing 10 is located on the opposite side of the lock arm 19 with the second locking portion 54 interposed therebetween, and the displacement of the second locking portion 54 in the direction of escaping from the second stopper 21 is restricted. A support portion 16 is formed. That is, since the second locking portion 54 is supported by the support portion 16 so as not to escape from the second stopper 21, the reliability of the locking action between the second locking portion 54 and the second stopper 21 is high.

  Further, when moving the detection member 50 to the detection position, paying attention to the fact that the third locking portion 60 dissociates from the third stopper 18 while being displaced relative to the first connector housing 10, The 3rd latching | locking part 60 is integrally formed in the arm part 56 which can be elastically displaced. Thus, since the arm portion 56 is formed with not only the first locking portion 59 but also the third locking portion 60, an elastic displacement portion is provided separately from the arm portion 56, and a third displacement portion is provided in the elastic displacement portion. Compared to the case where the locking portion 60 is formed, the shape of the first connector housing 10 can be simplified.

<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.
(1) In the above embodiment, the operation surface for pushing the detection member when the detection member is moved to the detection position is provided on the rear end surface of the detection member. However, the operation surface is a position other than the rear end surface of the detection member. May be provided.
(2) In the above embodiment, apart from the detection operation locking portion (third locking portion), as a means for restricting the detection member at the standby position from moving to the detection position, the front stop locking portion (the first locking portion) 1 locking portion) is provided, but the front stop locking portion is not provided, and the free movement of the detection member to the detection position may be restricted only by the locking force of the detection operation locking portion. .
(3) In the above embodiment, both the locking portions of the detection operation locking portion (third locking portion) and the front stop locking portion (first locking portion) are formed in one arm portion. The detection operation locking portion may be formed at a different site from the arm portion where the front stop locking portion is formed. In this case, the detection operation locking portion may be formed at a fixed position, not at the elastically displaced portion.
(4) In the above-described embodiment, in the extending direction of the arm portion, the front locking portion (first locking portion) is located closer to the extending end side than the detection operation locking portion (third locking portion). Although it is arranged at the position, the detection operation locking portion may be arranged at a position closer to the extending end side than the front stop locking portion, and the detection operation locking portion and the front stop locking portion are arranged on the arm portion. They may be arranged at the same position in the extending direction.

10 ... first connector housing 17 ... first stopper (stop stopper for front stop)
18 ... Third stopper (stopper for detection operation)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 ... Terminal metal fitting 40 ... Cover 45 ... Interference part 50 ... Detection member 56 ... Arm part 59 ... 1st latching | locking part (locking part for front stop)
60 ... 3rd locking part (locking part for detection operation)
70 ... Second connector housing

Claims (5)

A first connector housing;
A detection member provided on the first connector housing so as to be movable between a standby position and a detection position;
A second connector housing that can be fitted with the first connector housing;
In a state where the first connector housing and the second connector housing are in the middle of fitting, movement of the detection member from the standby position to the detection position is restricted,
In the connector in which the movement of the detection member from the standby position to the detection position is allowed only when the first connector housing and the second connector housing reach a normal fitting state,
The first connector housing is formed with a detection operation stopper.
The detection member is formed with a detection operation locking portion that is locked to the detection operation stopper in a state where the detection member is in a standby position.
When the detection operation locking portion is locked to the detection operation stopper, free movement of the detection member to the detection position is restricted,
When an operation force exceeding the locking force between the detection operation locking portion and the detection operation stopper is applied to the detection member, the lock between the detection operation lock portion and the detection operation stopper is released. The connector is characterized in that the detection member is moved to the detection position at once by the applied operating force. A front stop stopper is formed on the first connector housing,
The detection member is formed with a front stop locking portion that restricts movement of the detection member to the detection position by locking the detection member to the front stop stopper in a state where the detection member is in the standby position.
The locking force between the front stop locking portion and the front stop stopper exceeds the locking force between the detection operation locking portion and the detection operation stopper,
In accordance with the fitting operation between the first connector housing and the second connector housing, the engagement between the front stop locking portion and the front stop stopper is released. The connector according to claim 1. The detection member is formed with an arm portion that is elastically displaced by the second connector housing in the fitting process of the first connector housing and the second connector housing,
The arm portion is formed with the detection operation locking portion and the front stop locking portion,
With the elastic displacement of the arm portion, the locking allowance between the detection operation locking portion and the detection operation stopper decreases, and the front stop locking portion and the front stop stopper are locked. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connector is released. The arm portion is in a cantilevered form,
4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein in the extending direction of the arm portion, the front stop locking portion is disposed at a position closer to the extending end than the detection operation locking portion. 5. A cover for covering the terminal fitting attached to the first connector housing is assembled to the first connector housing,
When the detection member is assembled to the first connector housing in a state where the cover is not properly assembled to the first connector housing, the cover is interfered with the detection member so that the detection member is in a standby position. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an interference portion that inhibits movement from the position to the detection position is formed.

Images