JP2013242476A - Connector with lock release mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a connector with a lock release mechanism that can be released by releasing the lock even when members are arranged in the periphery, and that can prevent unintentional release due to an unexpected external force.
[Solution]
A connector housing 2 having a housing body 10, a locking portion 7, and a lock lever 14 that can be elastically displaced between a locking position and a locking release position, an inner surface 10 a of the housing body 10, and a locking lever 14 The operation lever 5 inserted into the insertion path 15 which is a gap with the side surface 14a of the operation lever 5, and the operation of the operation lever 5 rotated inside the insertion path 15 by rotating the pull tab portion 11 of the operation lever 5 A connector with a lock release mechanism configured such that the portion 13 presses the side surface of the lock lever 14 to change the posture of the lock lever 14 from the lock position to the lock release position.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector with a lock release mechanism having a lock release mechanism for releasing a lock of a connector coupled to a coupled body.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some connectors are provided with a lock mechanism so as not to be easily detached from a coupled object. In order to release the lock by the lock mechanism, the lever to be locked located near the tip of the lever is displaced by pressing the lever of the lock mechanism with a finger. However, when other members are disposed close to the periphery of the connector, it is difficult to insert a finger between the connector and the peripheral member, and it is difficult to operate the lever.

  For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses an optical connector unlocking device having a slide cover that is slidably held in a fitting / removing direction. According to this lock release device, when the operating portion of the slide cover is operated in the detaching direction, the lock lever is elastically deformed in a direction perpendicular to the operating direction of the slide cover, and the lock can be released.

Japanese Patent No. 3869411

  However, in the optical connector unlocking device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the direction of detachment when the connector is detached coincides with the operation direction for unlocking. Therefore, when some unexpected external force is applied to the operation unit along the direction of separation, the lock is released and the connector may be detached from the coupled body.

  Therefore, the present invention is capable of releasing the lock even when other members are arranged close to the periphery of the coupled body, and unlocking that can prevent unintentional detachment due to an unexpected external force. The object is to provide a connector with a mechanism.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a connector with an unlocking mechanism of the present invention includes a housing main body, a locking portion that locks with a locked portion of a coupled body, and the locking portion that is the locked portion. A connector housing, and a lock lever that is elastically displaceable at a lock position where the lock can be locked and a lock release position where the lock of the lock portion and the locked portion is released, and the housing body An operation lever that is inserted into an insertion path that is a gap between an inner side surface of the part and a side surface of the lock lever, and the operation lever includes an operation part that is accommodated in the insertion path, and the insertion path A pull tab portion disposed outside, and a shaft portion that connects the operation portion and the pull tab portion, and the pull tab portion is rotated around an axis of the shaft portion so that the inside of the insertion path. The rotated operation part is a side surface of the lock lever. In which the pressing to the posture of the lock lever from the locking position, characterized by being configured to vary with the locking release position.

  In the connector with a lock release mechanism of the present invention, it is preferable that the operation portion accommodated in the insertion path has an ellipsoidal shape having a major axis and a minor axis.

  In the connector with the unlocking mechanism according to the present invention, the pull tab portion is rotated around the axis of the shaft portion, so that the end portion in the long diameter direction of the operation portion presses the side surface of the lock lever. preferable.

  In the connector with a lock release mechanism according to the present invention, the long diameter of the operation portion is set to be larger than a distance between an inner side surface of the housing main body portion forming the insertion path and a side surface of the lock lever. preferable.

  In the connector with a lock release mechanism according to the present invention, it is preferable that a recess for locking the end portion in the major axis direction of the operation portion is formed on the insertion path surface.

  Further, in the connector with the unlocking mechanism of the present invention, the recess for locking both ends in the major axis direction of the operation portion is formed to face the inner side surface of the housing main body portion and the side surface of the lock lever. Is preferred.

  In the connector with the unlocking mechanism of the present invention, the stopper portion that stops the movement of the shaft portion of the operation lever in the axial direction includes an inner surface of the housing main body portion that forms the insertion path and a side surface of the lock lever. It is preferable to be formed.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the connector with a lock release mechanism of this invention is applied in an optical connector.

  Even when other members are arranged close to each other in the vicinity of the coupled body of the connector with the unlocking mechanism of the present invention, the connector can be unlocked by a simple operation of rotating the pull tab portion. Can do. Moreover, unintentional detachment due to an unexpected external force applied to the connector can be prevented.

It is a perspective view which shows the connector with a lock release mechanism which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing in the AA of FIG. 1, and shows the structure of the lock release mechanism which concerns on 1st Embodiment. (A) shows the configuration when unlocking is not performed, and (b) shows the configuration when unlocking. It is sectional drawing in the AA of FIG. 1, and shows the structure of the lock release mechanism which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. (A) shows the configuration when unlocking is not performed, and (b) shows the configuration when unlocking. It is sectional drawing in the AA of FIG. 1, and shows the structure of the lock release mechanism which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. (A) shows the configuration when unlocking is not performed, and (b) shows the configuration when unlocking.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a connector with a lock release mechanism according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, an optical connector will be described as an example of a connector with a lock release mechanism.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a connector with an unlocking mechanism (optical connector).
The optical connector 1 includes a housing 2 (an example of a connector housing), an operation lever 5, and ferrules 8a and 8b, and is coupled in a locked state to a coupled body 40 (see FIG. 2 and the like). is there. An optical fiber cord 4 is connected to the optical connector 1.

  The housing 2 is made of a non-conductive member (for example, synthetic resin), and the optical fiber cord 4 is inserted from the rear end face 2a side. The optical fiber core housed inside the optical fiber cord 4 is optically coupled to the ferrules 8 a and 8 b inside the housing 2. The ferrules 8 a and 8 b protrude from the front end surface 3 a side of the housing 2. An operation lever 5 used for releasing the lock is inserted from the rear end surface 2a side of the housing 2 so as to be rotatable around its axis.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the optical connector 1 and shows the configuration of the unlocking mechanism. 2A and 2B, a schematic cross-sectional view of the coupled body 40 is shown in the coupling direction of the optical connector 1 (left side in the figure).

The lock release mechanism includes a housing 2 (an example of a connector housing) and an operation lever 5.
The housing 2 includes a main body 10 (an example of a housing main body), a coupling portion 3, and a lock lever 14. The coupling portion 3 is provided at the distal end of the main body portion 10 in the coupling direction (tip in the direction of arrow a).

  The coupling portion 3 is formed in a smaller outer shape than the main body portion 10 and protrudes forward from the main body portion 10, and is a portion that is inserted into a coupling space portion of the coupled body 40, for example, an optical transceiver module.

  The lock lever 14 includes a beam portion formed in a cantilever shape extending from the rear end surface 2a of the main body portion 10 to the coupling portion 3, and an end portion 14b formed at the tip of the beam portion. A locking claw 7 (an example of a locking portion) is formed on the upper surface of the end portion 14b.

  Further, the housing 2 is formed with an insertion path 15 into which the operation lever 5 is rotatably inserted. The insertion path 15 is formed as a gap between the inner side surface 10 a of the main body 10 and one side surface 14 a of the beam portion of the lock lever 14.

  The operation lever 5 is configured by a non-conductive member, and is provided with a pull tab portion 11 that is a knob portion, a shaft portion 12 that extends from the pull tab portion 11 and is accommodated in the insertion path 15, and a distal end portion of the shaft portion 12. An operating unit 13 is provided.

  The pull tab portion 11 is formed in a substantially columnar (or cylindrical) shape. The pull tab portion 11 has a larger diameter than the shaft portion 12 so that it can be easily operated (rotated). In addition, if the pull tab part 11 is a shape which is easy to pick, it will not be limited to a column, a cylinder, etc.

  The shaft portion 12 has a columnar (or cylindrical) shape. The operation unit 13 has an ellipsoidal shape. The operation unit 13 shown in FIG. 2A is in a state where the elliptical operation unit is cut along the short diameter surface, and the operation unit 13 shown in FIG. 2B is a state where the elliptical operation unit is cut along the long diameter surface. Respectively.

  The shaft portion 12 and the operation portion 13 of the operation lever 5 are accommodated in the housing 2 along the insertion path 15. A part of the shaft portion 12 protrudes from the rear end surface 2a side of the housing 2 in the coupling direction, and a pull tab portion 11 provided at one end of the shaft portion 12 is also disposed outside from the rear end surface 2a side. The user can hold the pull tab portion 11 and rotate it in the direction of the arrow b, for example.

  A ferrule hole 41 into which the ferrule 8b is inserted when the optical connector 1 is coupled, and a locking hole 42 (latched portion to be locked) into which the locking claw 7 is locked, in the coupled body 40 into which the coupling portion 3 is fitted. Example) is formed.

Next, the operation of inserting / removing the optical connector 1 configured as described above will be described.
FIG. 2A shows a state in which the optical connector 1 is detached from the coupled body 40 but the lock is in the locking position. The lock lever 14 is maintained in a substantially horizontal state by its own elastic force. In this state, the distance between the inner side surface 10a of the main body 10 and the one side surface 14a of the lock lever 14 is maintained at a length substantially equal to the short diameter of the operation portion 13 (or the diameter of the shaft portion 12).

  When the optical connector 1 is inserted into the coupled body 40 along the coupling direction (arrow a direction), the locking claw 7 of the lock lever 14 protruding from the coupling portion 3 contacts the opening wall of the coupled body 40. Touch. When the locking claw 7 is pressed from the opening wall, the lock lever 14 is elastically deformed inward of the coupling portion 3.

  When the optical connector 1 is further inserted in the coupling direction, the locking claw 7 is aligned with the locking hole 42, and the lock lever 14 is returned to the locking position by the elastic restoring force of the lock lever 14, and the locking claw. 7 is a locking hole 42. As a result, the optical connector 1 is coupled to the coupled body 40 in a locked state.

  From this state, the pull tab portion 11 is rotated about 90 degrees around the axis of the shaft portion 12 (for example, in the direction of the arrow b), thereby releasing the lock.

  Specifically, when the optical connector 1 is detached from the coupled body 40, for example, the pull tab portion 11 of the operation lever 5 is picked by the thumb and index finger, and the pull tab portion 11 is rotated around the axis of the shaft portion 12. The rotation direction at this time may be clockwise or counterclockwise. However, when the pull tab portion 11 is rotated, the operation portion 13 provided at the tip portion of the shaft portion 12 is also rotated at the same time, and the outer peripheral surface of the operation portion 13 is the housing 2 The inner side surface 2 b and one side surface 14 a of the lock lever 14 are pressed in a direction perpendicular to the coupling direction of the optical connector 1. When the rotation angle becomes about 90 degrees, both end portions in the long diameter direction of the operation portion 13 press the inner side surface 2 b of the housing 2 and one side surface 14 a of the lock lever 14.

  As a result, the lock lever 14 is elastically deformed in the pressing direction, is pushed down inwardly in the connecting portion 3 (in the direction of the arrow d), moves to the locking release position (see FIG. 2B), and the locking claw 7 is It comes out of the locking hole 42 (unlocked). The optical connector 1 is detached from the coupled body 40 by pulling the housing 2 in the detaching direction (arrow e direction) with the pull tab portion 11 being operated.

  Since the lock lever 14 has its own elastic force in a direction to maintain a substantially horizontal state, when the pull tab portion 11 is further rotated around the shaft portion 12, the lock lever 14 When it is pushed up in the reverse direction (in the direction of the arrow c) and its rotational operation reaches 90 degrees, it returns to the locking position shown in FIG.

  As described above, the optical connector 1 holds the pull tab portion 11 of the operation lever 5 extending from the rear end portion of the housing 2 to the outside even when other members are disposed close to the peripheral portion. The lock can be easily released only by rotating, and can be detached from the coupled body 40. In addition, since the optical connector 1 has a direction in which the pull tab portion 11 is rotationally operated is different from the connecting / disconnecting direction of the optical connector 1, the optical connector 1 can be locked even when an unexpected external force is applied in the direction matching the disconnecting direction. Since it is not released, it is possible to prevent unintentional withdrawal. Further, since the structure of the unlocking mechanism is simple and there are few members to be added, it is inexpensive and excellent in mass productivity.

  Note that the shape of the operation unit 13 is not limited to an ellipsoidal shape, and any member having two lengths may be used, and the locking claw 7 is moved by pressing the lock lever 14 to lock the locking hole 42. It may be of a length that can be taken in and out.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the optical connector 1 and shows the configuration of the unlocking mechanism of the second embodiment.
The lock release mechanism of the second embodiment is the first in that depressions 21 and 22 for locking the operation unit 13 are provided in order to maintain the operation state of the operation lever 5 when the unlock operation is performed. This is different from the lock release mechanism of one embodiment. Hereinafter, although the second embodiment will be described, the same or similar parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, recesses (concave portions) 21 and 22 are formed on the inner surface 10 a of the housing 2 constituting the insertion path 15 and one side surface 14 a of the lock lever 14. . The depressions 21 and 22 are for locking the operation portion 13 of the operation lever 5, and are formed one by one at a position where the inner side surface 2b and the one side surface 14a face each other.

  The recesses 21 and 22 are engaged with both ends in the major axis direction of the operation portion 13 when the operation lever 5 is rotated and unlocked (see FIG. 3B). Accordingly, the recesses 21 and 22 have a hemispherical shape so as to correspond to the shapes of both end portions of the operation unit 13. In addition, since the recesses 21 and 22 are for locking the rotated operation unit 13 and maintaining the rotation state, the depth thereof is as long as the rotation state can be maintained. It is sufficient and a relatively shallow one is sufficient. In addition, the depressions 21 and 22 are for locking both ends when both ends in the major axis direction of the operation portion 13 are in contact with the inner side surface 10a and the one side surface 14a, that is, when the operation portion 13 is rotated about 90 degrees. Therefore, it is desirable that the diameters of the recesses 21 and 22 are formed larger than the diameters of the portions to be locked at both ends.

Next, the operation of the lock release mechanism configured as described above will be described.
FIG. 3A shows a state where the optical connector 1 is coupled to the coupled body 40, that is, a state where the lock is not released. At this time, the operating portion 13 is not locked in the recesses 21 and 22 formed in the inner side surface 10a and the one side surface 14a. From this state, the lock tab shown in FIG. 3B is released by rotating the pull tab portion 11 about the shaft portion 12 (for example, in the direction of arrow b) by about 90 degrees.

  As the pull tab portion 11 is rotated, the operation portion 13 is also rotated, and the posture of the operation portion 13 is changed so that the inner side surface 2b of the housing 2 and the one side surface 14a of the lock lever 14 are orthogonal to the coupling direction by both end portions in the major axis direction. It is pressed in the direction. At this time, both end portions in the major axis direction of the operation portion 13 are locked to recesses 21 and 22 formed in the inner side surface 10a and the one side surface 14a.

  In this locked state, the rotating state of the operation unit 13 is stably maintained even if the hand for rotating the pull tab unit 11 is released. The optical connector 1 can be detached from the coupled body 40 by pulling the housing 2 in the detaching direction (arrow e direction) while the pull tab portion 11 is in the operated state.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the optical connector 1 and shows the configuration of the unlocking mechanism of the third embodiment. In addition, about the to-be-coupled body 40, illustration is abbreviate | omitted.
The lock release mechanism of the third embodiment is the first in that it is provided with stopper portions 32 and 33 for locking the operation lever 5 inserted and removed in the coupling / detaching direction (also the axial direction of the shaft portion 12). This is different from the lock release mechanism of the embodiment. Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described, but the same or similar parts as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4B, convex portions (stopper portions) 32 and 33 are formed on the inner side surface 2 b and the one side surface 14 a forming the insertion path 15. The stoppers 32 and 33 are for locking the operation lever 5 that moves in the coupling direction (arrow a direction) or the detachment direction (arrow e direction), and are located at a position where the inner side surface 2b and the one side surface 14a face each other. One pair is formed. The stopper portions 32 and 33 engage with a band-shaped recess 31 provided on the outer peripheral portion of the shaft portion 12. The widths of the stopper portions 32 and 33 (in the coupling / detaching direction) are formed to be narrower than the band width of the concave portions in order to engage with the concave portions 31, and the height of the stopper portions 32 and 33 is equal to the depth of the concave portions 31. It is formed substantially the same.

Next, the operation of the lock release mechanism configured as described above will be described.
FIG. 4A shows a state where the lock is not released. The stopper portion 32 of the inner side surface 10a and the stopper portion 33 of the one side surface 14a are engaged with each other in the state of being close to the bottom portion of the concave portion 31 of the shaft portion 12. FIG. 4B shows a state in which the lock is released by rotating the pull tab portion 11 about the axis of the shaft portion 12 by about 90 degrees from the state of FIG.

  4A and 4B, when the pull tab portion 11 of the operation lever 5 is pulled in the disengagement direction (arrow e direction), the concave portion 31 of the shaft portion 12 is locked to the stopper portions 32 and 33. Therefore, the operation lever 5 can be prevented from coming out of the housing 2.

  Further, when the operation lever 5 is pulled in the disengagement direction (arrow e direction), the concave portion 31 of the shaft portion 12 is engaged with the stopper portions 32 and 33 and the housing 2 is also pulled. 5 and pulling the operating lever 5 in the disengagement direction (arrow e direction) after rotating 90 degrees around the axis of the shaft portion 12 to lightly unlock the light. The connector 1 can be detached from the coupled body 40.

  In this embodiment, the inner surface 10a of the housing 2 and the one side surface 14a of the lock lever 14 are not formed with a recess for maintaining the operation state of the operation lever 5, but the same recess as in the second embodiment. May be provided.

  While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1: Connector with unlock mechanism, 2: Housing, 3: Coupling part, 4: Optical fiber cord, 5: Operation lever, 6: Notch part, 7: Locking claw (an example of a locking part), 8a, 8b : Ferrule, 11: Pull tab part, 12: Shaft part, 13: Operation part, 14: Lock lever, 15: Insertion path, 21, 22: Depression, 31: Concave part, 32, 33: Convex part (stopper part), 40 : To be coupled, 42: Locking hole

Claims (8)

A housing main body, a locking portion that locks with a locked portion of the coupled body, a locking position where the locking portion can lock the locked portion, the locking portion, and the locked A connector housing having a lock lever that is elastically displaceable at a lock release position at which the lock with the portion is released, and
An operation lever that is inserted into an insertion path that is a gap between an inner surface of the housing main body and a side surface of the lock lever;
With
The operation lever includes an operation part housed in the insertion path, a pull tab part arranged outside the insertion path, and a shaft part that connects the operation part and the pull tab part.
When the pull tab portion is rotated around the axis of the shaft portion, the operation portion rotated inside the insertion path presses a side surface of the lock lever, thereby changing the posture of the lock lever from the locking position. A connector with a lock release mechanism, wherein the connector is configured to be changed to a lock release position.   The connector with a lock release mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the operation portion accommodated in the insertion path has an ellipsoidal shape having a major axis and a minor axis.   The lock release mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the pull tab portion is rotated about the axis of the shaft portion, whereby an end portion in a major diameter direction of the operation portion presses a side surface of the lock lever. With connector.   4. The unlocking mechanism according to claim 3, wherein a major axis of the operation portion is set to be larger than an interval between an inner side surface of the housing main body portion that forms the insertion path and a side surface of the lock lever. With connector.   The connector with a lock release mechanism according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein a recess that locks an end of the operation portion in a major axis direction is formed in the insertion path surface.   The lock release according to claim 5, wherein a recess that locks both ends of the operating portion in the major axis direction is formed to face an inner surface of the housing main body and a side surface of the lock lever. Connector with mechanism.   The stopper portion for locking the movement of the shaft portion of the operation lever in the axial direction is formed on an inner surface of the housing main body portion and a side surface of the lock lever forming the insertion path. The connector with a lock release mechanism according to any one of 1 to 6.   The connector with a lock release mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the connector is applied to an optical connector.

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