JP3665966B2 - Connector device with mating detection mechanism - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention belongs to a connector device with a fitting detection mechanism provided with a detection mechanism for detecting a fitting state of a connector housing and a mating connector housing.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the connector device with a fitting detection mechanism in the prior art includes a connector housing 111, a mating connector housing 131 into which the connector housing 111 is fitted in the first direction A ′, and a connector housing 111. And a detection member 151 that detects the mating state of the mating connector housing 131.
[0003]
The connector housing 111 includes a box-shaped housing main body 113 that stores and holds conductive contacts (not shown), and one side of the housing main body 113 facing the one side surface 113a of the housing main body 113 in the first direction A ′. A lock portion 115 connected to the side surface 113a and facing the outer side surface 113a of the housing main body 113 and can be displaced to the one side surface 113a with an elastic force, a locking portion 117 protruding from the outer surface 115a of the lock portion 115, and a lock portion 115, and an operation portion 118 that is fitted to the outer surface 113a without being bent.
[0004]
The mating connector housing 131 includes a conductive mating contact (not shown) that comes into contact with the contact when fitted, and an accommodating portion 133 that accommodates the mating contact. The accommodating portion 133 has an opening formed on the mating fitting end surface 131a facing the fitting end surface 113c on the first direction A ′ side of the connector housing 131 when the housing main body 113 is fitted to the lock portion 115, and the first portion is formed. The housing main body 113 and the lock part 115 are received and accommodated by a mating wall part that is received in the direction A ′.
[0005]
The mating wall portion faces the outer surface 115a of the locking portion 115 so that the locking portion 117 enters and locks when the connector housing 111 is inserted and fitted in the housing portion 133 in the first direction A ′. It has a mating locking part 135 formed on a support wall 131c which is a part constituting the part.
[0006]
When the connector housing 111 is fitted into the accommodating portion 133 of the mating connector housing 131, the connector housing 111 is inserted into the accommodating portion 133 of the mating connector housing 131 in the first direction A ′. At this time, when the operation portion 118 of the lock portion 115 is pressed, the lock portion 115 is displaced while being bent toward the outer surface 113 a of the connector main body 113. When the connector housing 111 is inserted into the housing part 133 of the mating connector housing 131 from this state, the locking part 117 moves over the mating locking part 135 and moves in the first direction A ′ of the housing part 133. At this time, the locking portion 117 enters the inside of the mating locking portion 135 and is locked.
[0007]
After the connector housing 111 is fitted into the receiving portion 133 of the mating connector housing 131, the lock is completed when the detection member 151 is inserted between the lock portion 115 and the outer surface 113 a of the housing body 113.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the connector housing 111 is fitted to the mating connector housing 131, even if the detection member 151 is inserted into the mating connector housing 131, the mating connector housing 131 bends and fits by a forceful fitting operation. Will be achieved. As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, there is a problem that a part of the support wall 131 c of the mating connector housing 131 is broken (portion indicated by E in FIG. 9).
[0009]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector device with a fitting detection mechanism that can prevent the connector housing from being fitted in a state in which the detection mechanism is inserted, and can prevent damage to the mating connector housing due to incomplete fitting. It is to provide.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, a connector housing, a mating connector housing that is fitted by moving the connector housing in the first direction, and a detection mechanism that detects the mating state of the connector housing and the mating connector housing. The connector housing includes a housing main body, a lock portion connected to one side surface of the housing main body on the first direction side and having an elastic force toward the one side surface; The mating connector housing includes a mating wall portion that receives the connector housing, a housing portion that is formed by the mating wall portion, and the connector housing when the connector housing is fitted to the mating connector housing. A mating member formed on a support wall that constitutes a part of the mating wall portion facing the locking portion so as to be latched to the latching portion. In the connector device with a fitting detection mechanism having a stop portion, the detection mechanism includes a first detection portion provided in the connector housing, a second detection portion provided in the mating connector housing, and the first And a detection member that detects the fitting state in cooperation with the second detection unit, and the first detection unit has a pair of cam portions erected on the lock portion so as to face each other. The second detection part has a pair of locked parts erected on the support wall, and the detection member has a shaft part inserted between the pair of cam parts. Is held slidably between an initial position on the second direction side opposite to the first direction and a fitting position on the first direction side, and the pair of locked The part is in a state where the connector housing and the mating connector housing are in the middle of fitting and the front With the shaft portion positioned at the fitting position, the locking portion is displaced to contact the shaft portion to move the shaft portion to the initial position by being displaced, and the fitting is completed. Sometimes the shaft is moved to the fitting position by moving the detection member in the first direction from the state where the shaft is positioned at the initial position, and the shaft is inserted and locked. A connector device with a fitting detection mechanism having a bearing portion formed on the locked portion from the contact surface is obtained.
[0011]
[Action]
In the connector device with a fitting detection mechanism according to the present invention, when the connector housing is inserted into the housing portion of the mating connector housing in the first direction, the locking portion enters the inner surface of the support wall of the mating connector housing, When the stop portion is pushed downward by the support wall, the lock portion is displaced while being bent toward one side surface of the housing body. At this time, since the pair of cam portions are displaced in the same manner as the lock portion, the cam portions are also displaced. In this state, when the lock portion is displaced, the shaft portion contacts the contact surfaces of the pair of locked portions.
[0012]
Here, when the connector housing is further inserted into the housing portion of the mating connector housing, the shaft portion is pressed in the second direction from the fitting position by the contact surface and moved to the initial position of the cam portion.
[0013]
Further, when the connector housing is inserted into the mating connector housing, the latching portion enters the mating locking portion formed on the support wall, and the connector housing and the mating connector housing are fitted and locked. At this time, the lock portion returns elastically from the displaced state and returns to the original state. At the same time, the cam portion is located between the locked portions, and the cam portion and the bearing portion of the locked portion overlap each other. Further, when the operation portion of the detection member is pressed in the first direction, the lock is completed when the operation portion moves from the initial position to the fitting position and the bearing portion.
[0014]
Further, when the fitting state between the connector housing and the mating connector housing is incomplete, that is, when the fitting operation is finished in the middle of the fitting, the shaft portion of the detection member is moved in the first direction. Even if it is attempted to do so, the contact surface interferes with the cam part so that the shaft part hits the contact surface and cannot enter the cam part. Is done.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a connector device with a fitting detection mechanism according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the connector device with a fitting detection mechanism is disassembled, and FIG. 2 shows a state in which the connector device with a fitting detection mechanism is fitted in a correct posture.
[0016]
1 and 2, the connector device with a fitting detection mechanism includes a connector housing 11, a mating connector housing 31 that moves and fits the connector housing 11 in the first direction A, the connector housing 11, and And a detection mechanism for detecting the mating state of the mating connector housing 31.
[0017]
The connector housing 11 includes a box-shaped connector main body 13 that holds the conductive contacts 12 shown in FIG. 3, a lock portion 15 that faces one side surface 13 a of the outer surface of the connector main body 13, and a lock portion 15 has a locking portion 17 protruding from the outer surface 15a onto the outer surface 15a.
[0018]
The lock portion 15 is connected to the one side surface 13 a of the connector main body 13 on the first direction A side, and has an elastic force that can be displaced toward the one side surface 13 a of the connector main body 13.
[0019]
The mating connector housing 31 has a box shape so as to hold the mating contact 32 and receive the connector housing 11, and a conductive mating contact 32 (see FIG. 3) that contacts the contact 12 when mated with the connector housing 11. And a receiving portion 33 formed by the opposite wall portions 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d.
[0020]
The mating connector housing 31 is opened on the mating end surface 31f side with respect to the mating end surface 13c of the connector main body 13 in the first direction A side, and the connector main body 13 and the lock portion 15 are disposed in the housing portion 33 in the first direction A. Is to be accepted and accommodated.
[0021]
The mating wall portions 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d are fitted with the support wall 31c facing the outer surface 15a of the lock portion 15 when the connector housing 11 is inserted into the housing portion 33 and fitted in the first direction A. It has a mating locking part 35 formed on the support wall 31c so that the locking part 17 enters and locks at the time. In addition, the support wall 31c is a part which comprises a part of the other party wall part 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d.
[0022]
The support wall 31c extends from the mating fitting end face 31f on the second direction B side of the connector housing 31 to the pair of locked parts 41, 42 so that the pair of cam parts 21, 22 pass in the first direction A. It has a notch 37 formed by notching.
[0023]
The detection mechanism cooperates with the first detection unit 20 provided in the connector housing 11, the second detection unit 40 provided in the mating connector housing 31, the first and second detection units 20 and 40, and the connector housing 11 and And a detecting member 51 for detecting the mating state of the mating connector housing 31.
[0024]
The first detection unit 20 includes a pair of cam portions 21 and 22 erected so as to face each other from the outer surface 15a of the lock portion 15 onto the outer surface 15a. The cam portions 21 and 22 have first cam holes 21a and 22a and second cam holes 21b and 22b formed on the first direction A side from the first cam holes 21a and 22a. The first cam holes 21a and 22a are long in the first and second directions A and B, and have a shape constricted in a tapered shape toward the second cam holes 21b and 22b. The second cam holes 21b and 22b are substantially round holes.
[0025]
The second detection unit 40 includes a pair of locked portions 41 and 42 that are erected on the support wall 31c from the support wall 31c so that the outer surfaces of the pair of cam portions 21 and 22 face each other during and during the fitting. ing. The mating locking part 35 is located on the first direction A side with respect to the pair of locked parts 41, 42, and the locking part 17 is located on the first direction A side with respect to the first detection part 20. ing. The pair of locked portions 41 and 42 are erected on the support wall 31c so as to face the outer surfaces 15a of the pair of cam portions 21 and 22 on the inner side during and during fitting.
[0026]
When the locking portion 15 is engaged, the locking portion 17 is pressed by the support wall 31c in front of the locked portions 41 and 42 in the middle of fitting, and is bent and displaced toward the one side surface 13a of the connector main body 13. The locking part 17 enters and locks the mating locking part 35.
[0027]
The pair of locked portions 41 and 42 are in contact with the contact surfaces 41a and 42a formed on the second direction B side opposite to the first direction A and perpendicular to the support wall 31c. Two bearing portions 41b and 42b formed by notching the locking portions 41 and 42 from the contact surfaces 41a and 42a to face the cam holes 21b and 22b.
[0028]
The detection member 51 includes a shaft portion 53 that is inserted between the pair of cam portions 21 and 22 and is orthogonal to the first and second directions A and B and parallel to the outer surface 15 a of the lock portion 15. And an operating portion 55 extending in the second direction B from the first and second directions A and B so as to be positioned outside the pair of locked portions 41 and 42 when fitted. Guide portions 57 a and 58 b provided at both ends of the portion 53. The guide portions 57a and 58b serve to guide the sliding of the detection member 51 and prevent the pair of cam portions 21 and 22 from coming off.
[0029]
The shaft portion 53 has an initial position located in the first cam holes 21a and 22a in the first and second directions A and B, and a first and second fitting positions located in the second cam holes 21b and 22b. The cam holes 21a, 22a, 21b, and 22b are slidably held.
[0030]
FIG. 3 shows a state in which the shaft portion 53 is held at the fitting position, which is the pair of cam holes 21a and 22a, in the connector device with a fitting detection mechanism. The connector housing 11 and the mating connector housing 31 are connected to each other. The state in the middle of fitting is shown.
[0031]
When the connector housing 11 is inserted into the receiving portion 33 of the mating connector housing 31 in the first direction A, the locking portion 17 enters the inner surface of the support wall 31c of the mating connector housing 31 as shown in FIG. At this time, the locking portion 17 is pushed downward by the support wall 31 c, so that the lock portion 15 is displaced while being bent toward the one side surface 13 a of the connector main body 13. At this time, since the pair of cam portions 21 and 22 are displaced similarly to the lock portion 15, the first cam holes 21a and 22b and the second cam holes 22a and 22b are also displaced. In this state, when the lock portion 15 is displaced, the shaft portion 53 comes into contact with the contact surfaces 41 a and 42 a of the pair of locked portions 41 and 42.
[0032]
Here, when the connector housing 11 is further inserted into the accommodating portion 33 of the mating connector housing 31 in the first direction A, the shaft portion 53 is fitted by the contact surfaces 41a and 42a as shown in FIG. It is pressed in the second direction B from the position and moved to the first cam holes 21a and 22a which are the initial positions.
[0033]
Further, when the connector housing 11 is inserted into the accommodating portion 33 of the mating connector housing 31 in the first direction A, as shown in FIG. 6, the mating portion is latched to the mating locking portion 35 formed on the support wall 31c. The part 17 enters and the connector housing 11 and the mating connector housing 31 are fitted and locked. At this time, the lock portion 15 is elastically restored from the displaced state and returns to the original state. At the same time, a pair of cam portions 21 and 22 including the second cam holes 21a and 22a are located between the locked portions 41 and 42, and the bearing portions 41b of the second cam holes 21a and 22a and the locked portions 41 and 42 are provided. , 42b are overlapped.
[0034]
Further, when the operation portion 55 of the detection member 51 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is pressed in the first direction A from the state shown in FIG. 6, the shaft portion 53 at the initial position is moved from the first cam holes 21a and 22a. It moves to the second cam holes 21b and 22b and the bearing portions 41b and 42b, which are the fitting positions, and the entry lock is completed.
[0035]
Further, when the mating state between the connector housing 11 and the mating connector housing 31 is incomplete, that is, when the mating operation is completed in the middle of the mating state as shown in FIG. Even when trying to move the shaft portion 53 in the first direction A, the contact surfaces 41a and 42a obstruct the second cam holes 21a and 22a so that the shaft portion 53 is in contact with the contact surface. 41a and 42a cannot be inserted into the second cam holes 21b and 22b, so that incomplete fitting is detected.
[0036]
In order to remove the connector housing 11 from the housing portion 33 of the mating connector housing 31, the shaft portion 53 that locks the second cam holes 21 b and 22 b and the bearing portions 41 b and 42 b that are the fitting positions is provided on the operation portion 55. By pulling out in the second direction B, the locked state is released. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the locking portion 15 is displaced to release the locking portion 17 from the mating locking portion 35 of the support wall 31 c, and the connector housing 11 is pulled out from the mating connector housing 31. .
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the connector device with a fitting detection mechanism according to the present invention, when the detection member is fitted in the fitting position of the cam portion of the detection mechanism, the shaft portion of the detection member returns to the initial position. As a result, damage to the mating connector housing due to incomplete fitting can be prevented.
[0038]
In addition, since the detection component is the only independent component in the detection mechanism, the number of components is reduced, and the detection mechanism can be easily attached and detached, that is, the connectors can be easily fitted together, thereby improving the efficiency of the assembly work. It becomes possible.
[0039]
Further, the detection mechanism cannot detect the incomplete lock because the detection member cannot be inserted when the lock between the connector housing and the mating connector housing is incomplete.
[0040]
Furthermore, the detection member is held by the connector body, and the detection member is not lost.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a disassembled state of a connector device with a fitting detection mechanism.
2 is a perspective view showing a fitting state of the connector device with a fitting detection mechanism shown in FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the middle of the fitting of the connector device with a fitting detection mechanism shown in FIG. 1;
4 is a cross-sectional view of the connector device with a fitting detection mechanism shown in FIG.
5 is a cross-sectional view of the connector device with a fitting detection mechanism shown in FIG.
6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state before the detection member is locked in the fitted state of the connector device with a fitting detection mechanism shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a connector device with a fitting detection mechanism in the prior art.
8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in the middle of fitting of the connector device with a fitting detection mechanism shown in FIG.
9 is a perspective view showing a damaged state of the connector device with a fitting detection mechanism shown in FIG. 7; FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Connector housing 12 Contact 13 Connector main body 13a One side surface 13c Fitting end surface 15 Lock part 15a Outer surface 17 Locking part 20 1st detection part 21,22 Cam part 21a, 22a 1st cam hole 21b, 22b 2nd cam hole 31 Mating connector housing 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d Mating wall portion 31f Mating end surface 31c Support wall 32 Mating contact 33 Housing portion 35 Mating locking portion 37 Notch portion 40 Second detection portion 41, 42 Locked portion 41a, 42a Contact surface 41b, 42b Bearing part 51 Detection member 53 Shaft part A 1st direction B 2nd direction

Claims (5)

A connector housing; a mating connector housing that is fitted by moving the connector housing in a first direction; and a detection mechanism that detects a mating state of the connector housing and the mating connector housing. A housing body, a lock portion that is connected to one side surface of the housing body on the first direction side and has an elastic force toward the one side surface, and a locking portion that protrudes above the lock portion. The mating connector housing includes a mating wall portion that receives the connector housing, a housing portion that is formed by the mating wall portion, and is latched to the latching portion when the connector housing is fitted. And a mating locking portion formed on a support wall that constitutes a part of the mating wall portion facing the locking portion. In fitting detecting mechanism connector device with that,
The detection mechanism detects the fitting state in cooperation with a first detection unit provided in the connector housing, a second detection unit provided in the mating connector housing, and the first and second detection units. A first detection unit having a pair of cam portions erected on the lock portion so as to face each other, and the second detection unit is a pair erected on the support wall. The detection member has a shaft portion inserted between the pair of cam portions, and the shaft portion is in a second direction opposite to the first direction. Between the initial position and the mating position on the first direction side, and the pair of locked portions are in the middle of mating between the connector housing and the mating connector housing. In the state where the shaft portion is located at the fitting position, the lock portion is changed. The contact surface that contacts the shaft portion to move the shaft portion to the initial position, and the detection member is moved from the state where the shaft portion is positioned at the initial position when the fitting is completed. And a bearing portion formed on the locked portion from the contact surface so as to move the shaft portion to the fitting position by moving in the first direction so that the shaft portion enters and locks. A connector device with a fitting detection mechanism. 2. The connector device with a fitting detection mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the support wall is from a mating fitting end surface on the second direction side of the connector housing so as to pass the pair of cam portions in the first direction. A connector device with a fitting detection mechanism, comprising a cutout portion formed by cutting out between the pair of locked portions. 2. The connector device with a fitting detection mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the pair of cam portions includes a first cam hole that positions the shaft portion at the initial position, and the shaft portion that is positioned at the fitting position. A second cam hole formed on the first direction side from the first cam hole, and the shaft portion is positioned on the first cam hole on the second direction side and the second position. A connector device with a fitting detection mechanism, wherein the pair of cam portions are slidably held between the fitting position located in the second cam hole on the one direction side. 4. The connector device with a fitting detection mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the first cam hole is a hole having a dimension that is long in the first and second directions, and the second cam hole is a substantially round hole. A connector device with a fitting detection mechanism. 2. The connector device with a fitting detection mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the mating locking portion is located closer to the first direction than the pair of locked portions, and the locking portion is a first detection portion. A connector device with a fitting detection mechanism, wherein the connector device is located closer to the first direction.

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