JP5074164B2 - connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector, and more particularly to a connector locking structure.

  Conventionally, a board-to-wire connector has been used to connect a cable to a circuit board such as a printed circuit board, and a wire-to-wire connector has been used to connect cables (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ). These connectors are usually composed of a plug connector and a receptacle connector, and are provided with a lock structure for holding both of them so as not to be separated.

  Generally, the connector lock structure includes a both-end lock structure in which two lock mechanisms are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the connector and a center lock structure in which the lock mechanism is provided in the center in the longitudinal direction of the connector. Among these, the connector adopting the both-end lock structure is excellent in operability because the lock can be released by sandwiching both ends with two fingers. However, when the connectors are fitted, there are two lock mechanisms. There was a problem that only one of them was locked and the other was not locked.

Here, a conventional connector having a center lock structure will be described with reference to FIG. The connector shown in FIG. 17 is a board-to-wire connector. A cable is attached to the plug connector 801. The receptacle connector 802 is mounted on the printed circuit board 803. When the lower wall 811 of the plug connector 801 is inserted into the fitting space 921 of the receptacle connector 802, the engaging portion 812 of the plug connector 801 and the engaging protrusion 922 of the receptacle connector 802 engage with each other. The fitting state between each other is maintained.
JP 2003-308925 A

  Since the center lock structure is provided only in the center in the longitudinal direction of the connector, the center lock structure is excellent in that the one-side lock failure generated in the both-end lock structure does not occur.

  However, on the other hand, in order to release the lock, it is necessary to perform an operation of pressing a part of the lock structure provided in the center in the longitudinal direction of the connector. Depending on the situation and the mounting structure of the electric wires and the board, the workability of fitting and removing the connectors may be poor.

  For example, in a board-to-wire connector, the plug connector is connected to the receptacle connector from a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the board in a state where the electric wires are arranged in parallel to the surface of the board (hereinafter referred to as the main surface) on which the receptacle connector is mounted. In the case of the type that is inserted with respect to the cable, since the electric wire becomes an obstacle, it is difficult to operate the lock structure provided in the center, and the fitting work and the removing work are difficult.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector that is less likely to cause a lock failure and that is excellent in workability of connector fitting and removal work.

The connector according to the present invention includes a first connector having a first housing provided with a first terminal, and a second housing provided with a second terminal connected to the first terminal. The first housing includes a facing surface that faces the second connector, side surfaces that are substantially perpendicular to the facing surface and that face each other, and the facing substantially perpendicular locking surfaces to the side surface of the plane and opposite, has a first locking arm and a second locking arm extending from each to the vicinity of the center of the locking surface of the side, the two locking arms, the locking A bent portion extending toward the opposite surface in the vicinity of the center of the surface, and having a first engaging portion in the extending portion, wherein the second housing is located with respect to the first engaging portion. Also having a second engaging portion that can be engaged It is. Since the connector according to the present invention has such a configuration, it is possible to move the first engagement portion by operating the lock arms on both side surfaces, and to engage the second engagement portion. And the engagement can be released. Therefore, since the lock operation and the release operation can be performed by operating a side surface different from the lock surface even though it is a so-called center lock structure, there is little occurrence of lock failure and the fitting operation between the connectors. Excellent workability for work and removal work.

  Typically, a bulge is provided near the center of the lock surface, the first lock arm extends from one side of the bulge and is connected to the one side, and It is preferable that the second lock arm extends from the other side surface of the bulging portion and is connected to the other side surface.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said 1st engaging part is the protrusion protruded in the direction away from the said lock surface. Thereby, the movable range of the lock arm can be widened.

  In particular, the second housing is provided with a gap in the vicinity of the center of the front wall corresponding to the lock surface, and in a state where the first connector and the second connector are fitted together, the bulge is interposed between the gaps. A second engaging portion that receives the protruding portion and that engages with the first engaging portion provided on each of the first lock arm and the second lock arm is provided on both sides of the gap. preferable.

  In a preferred embodiment, each of the second engaging portions is a protrusion protruding to the gap side.

  Further, it is desirable that a guide mechanism for restricting movement of the lock arm is provided in the first housing and the lock arm. As a result, the lock arm can stably move to a desired position, and the connectors can be reliably attached and detached.

  Typically, the guide mechanism includes a protrusion provided in the first housing and a notch provided in the lock arm and receiving the protrusion.

  Furthermore, the present invention is suitable when the back surface of the bottom surface of the second connector with respect to the first connector is a mounting surface mounted in contact with the circuit board.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the lock arms on both side surfaces of the first housing are pressed toward the housing, the engagement between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion is released. Is desirable. By having such a configuration, the engagement between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion can be released by operating the lock arms on both side surfaces, so-called center lock structure. However, since the locking operation and the releasing operation can be performed by operating a side surface different from the locking surface, there is little occurrence of locking failure, and the workability of mating and removing operations between connectors is reduced. Is excellent.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector that is less likely to cause a lock failure and that is excellent in workability of connector fitting and removal work.

Embodiment 1 of the Invention
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the connector according to the first embodiment, and shows a state before fitting. As shown in the figure, the connector according to the embodiment of the present invention is a wire-to-board connector provided with a plug connector 1 and a receptacle connector 2.

The plug connector 1 is an electric wire side connector and is connected to an end portion of a cable including a plurality of electric wires 21. In this example, two cable ends are connected to the plug connector 1 near both ends in the longitudinal direction of the plug connector 1. The plug connector 1 has a function of electrically connecting a cable to the circuit board via the receptacle connector 2. The cable connected to the plug connector 1 is not limited to a cable having a circular cross section, but a flexible flat cable (FFC) and a flexible circuit board (FPC).
It may be a plate-like flexible one such as a printed circuit).

The receptacle connector 2 is a board-side connector and is mounted on a circuit board. In the present embodiment, the expressions indicating directions such as upper, lower, left, right, front, rear and the like used for explaining the configuration and operation of each part of the plug connector 1 and the receptacle connector 2 are absolute. It ’s not relative but relative. Therefore, it is appropriate when the plug connector 1 and the receptacle connector 2 are in the posture shown in the drawing, but when the postures of the plug connector 1 and the receptacle connector 2 are changed, the plug connector 1 and the receptacle connector 2 are changed and interpreted according to the change in the posture. It should be.
In the present embodiment, the direction in which the electric wire 21 is led out in FIG. 1 is the back surface (rear), and the side where the later-described bulging portion 14 is formed in the opposite direction is the front surface (front). The left side in the longitudinal direction of both connectors toward the front is the left side, the opposite direction is the right side, the side of the receptacle connector 2 that is the second connector is attached to the substrate, and the opposite side is the upper side.

  The plug connector 1 includes a plug housing 11. The plug housing 11 is integrally formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The plug housing 11 is a box-shaped member having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The plug housing 11 faces the bottom surface 107 of the housing 101 of the receptacle connector 2 such that the facing surface 39 that faces the receptacle connector 2 that is the mating connector faces the bottom surface 107. Inserted into the insertion recess.

The plug housing 11 is formed with two terminal receiving holes 12a and 12b communicating from the back to the front. The terminal accommodating holes 12 a and 12 b accommodate electric wire terminals connected to the ends of the electric wires 21. The terminal configuration will be described in detail later.
Two lock arms 31 a and 31 b are provided from side surfaces 15 a and 15 b as opposite left and right ends of the plug housing 11 to the front surface 16. The lock arms 31a and 31b have a characteristic configuration of the present invention. Although the lock arms 31a and 31b are a center lock system having a locking portion at the center of the front surface 16 as a lock surface, the lock fitting operation and release at both ends of the connector are performed. It plays an important role in enabling operation.

The lock arm 31a is a double-supported beam-like arm member having a plurality of bent portions. One end of the lock arm 31a is integrally connected near the center in the front-rear direction below the right side surface 15a of the plug housing 11, and extends from the connection position in a direction substantially perpendicular to the right side surface 15a. ing. Then, the bent portion is bent upward from the extending portion and extends to substantially the same height as the lower surface of the terminal accommodating hole 12a. This portion is referred to as a first connecting member 32a. The first connecting member 32a bends further to the front side in the vicinity of the upper end portion and extends substantially parallel to the right side surface 15a until it exceeds the front side. This portion is referred to as a second connecting member 33a. The second connecting member 33a is bent toward the center in the vicinity of the right end portion of the front surface and extends in parallel with the front surface 16 toward the bulging portion 14 provided in the center in the width direction of the front surface 16. This portion is referred to as a third connecting member 34a. Further, the third connecting member 34a is bent toward the bottom surface at a position away from the bulging portion 14 by a predetermined distance, and extends downward in parallel with the side surface of the bulging portion. This portion is referred to as a fourth connecting member 35a. Further, the fourth connecting member 35a is bent toward the bulging portion 14 (ie, the center side) in the vicinity of the bottom surface and extends parallel to the bottom surface, and is integrally connected to the bulging portion 14. This portion is referred to as a fifth connecting member 36a.
Here, the bulging portion 14 protrudes in a short shape from the front surface 16, and the protruding dimension is larger than that of the fifth connecting member 36a.

The first connecting member 32a, the second connecting member 33a, the third connecting member 34a, the fourth connecting member 35a, and the fifth connecting member 36a are rod-like members each having a rectangular cross section. Then, at one end of the lock arm 31a that is the end of the first connecting member 32a and the other end of the lock arm 31a that is the end of the fifth connecting member 36a, the right side surface 15a of the plug housing 11 bulges, respectively. Although connected to the portion 14, other portions of the lock arm 31 a are separated from the right side surface and the front surface of the plug housing 11 by a predetermined distance. The first connecting member 32a is formed to be relatively thin so as to be easily bent, and the second and third connecting members 33a and 34a are formed to be relatively thick so as not to cause unnecessary bending. Further, the fourth and fifth connecting members 35a, 36a are connected to the third connecting member 34a via the tapered portion 39a, and are formed relatively thin so as to be easily bent.
In particular, the tapered portion 39a is formed in the third connecting member 34a, and is formed thin at the bent portion joined to the fourth connecting member 35a. Also, the fifth connecting member 36a has the same cross-sectional shape as the fourth connecting member 35a, and the fourth and fifth connecting members 35a, 36a are formed to be easily bent including the bent portion.
Therefore, the lock arm 31a is formed by bending the first connecting member 32a, the fourth connecting member 35a including the bent portion, and the fifth connecting member 36a, so that each connecting member is connected to the right side surface 15a of the plug housing 11 or the like. The position relative to the front surface 16 can be changed.

  In the vicinity of the center of the portion of the fourth connecting member 35a extending in the vertical direction, an engaging protrusion 37a that protrudes to the front side (that is, the direction away from the front surface of the plug housing 11) is integrally formed. The upper surface of the engagement protrusion 37a forms a surface perpendicular to the fitting direction of the connectors. The engagement protrusion 37a engages with the engagement protrusion 113a of the receptacle connector 2, so that the fitting state between the connectors is maintained. Since the engagement protrusion 37a protrudes to the front side in this way, the movable range to the inside of the lock arm 31a can be widened.

A cutout portion 38a is provided in a part of the upper surface of the third connecting member 34a. The notch 38a is provided at a position for receiving the protruding portion 13a protruding forward from the lower surface of the terminal accommodating hole 12a. More specifically, in a state where no external force is applied to the lock arm 31a, the protrusion 13a is disposed on the left side of the notch 38a.
That is, the movement amount of the third connecting member 34a is restricted when the movement to the right side is more than the movement to the left side.

  One end of the lock arm 31 b extends from the left side surface of the plug housing 11, and the other end is connected to the left side surface of the bulging portion 14. The basic configuration of the lock arm 31b is the same as that of the lock arm 31a, and the first connection member 32b, the second connection member 33b, the third connection member 34b, the fourth connection member 35b, and the fifth connection. The member 36b, the engagement protrusion 37b, and the notch 38b are respectively the first connection member 32a, the second connection member 33a, the third connection member 34a, the fourth connection member 35a, and the fifth connection in the lock arm 31a. Since it corresponds to the member 36a, the engagement protrusion 37a, and the notch 38a and has the same function, a specific description is omitted.

In this way, since one end of each of the pair of lock arms 31a and 31b extends outward in the left-right direction from the bulging portion 14, the lock arm 31a is also used when performing the fitting operation between the connectors. , 31b can be stabilized, and reliable fitting can be realized.
In the present embodiment, the lock arms 31a and 31b are described as being symmetrical and have the same shape with the bulging portion 14 as the center. However, the lock arms 31a and 31b are not necessarily required to have the same shape as long as the same effect is obtained.
Also, a lock arm movable only on one side may be formed by appropriately setting the strength of the lock arm.

  Next, the receptacle connector 2 will be described. The receptacle connector 2 includes a receptacle housing 101 that fits with the plug connector 1, and the lock member 121 slides in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction of the plug connector 1 and the receptacle connector 2 (the front-rear direction in this embodiment). I support it as possible. Each of the receptacle housing 101 and the lock member 121 is integrally formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin.

  The receptacle housing 101 is a box-shaped member whose outer shape is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and has an insertion recess into which the plug connector 1 which is a mating connector is inserted. The insertion recess has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with the right and left direction as the longitudinal direction, similar to the outer shape of the receptacle housing 101, and the right side wall 102, front wall 103, left side wall 104, inner surface of the rear wall 105, and bottom surface 107 of the receptacle housing 101. Defined by the inner surface. Metal fittings 151a and 151b, which are members for fixing the receptacle housing 101 to the circuit board, are attached to the accommodating portions 106a and 106b on the side surfaces that are both end faces in the longitudinal direction of the receptacle housing 101.

  A gap 109 is provided at the center of the front wall 103. The width W1 of the gap 109 has a width W2 corresponding to the distance from the outer surface of the fourth connecting member 35a in the lock arm 31a of the plug connector 1 to the outer surface of the fourth connecting member 35b in the lock arm 31b. ing. Accordingly, in a state where the connectors are fitted to each other, the fourth connecting members 35a and 35b are accommodated in the gap. With such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the size of the connector without generating a useless space in the connector structure.

  Rib members 111a and 111b extending to the front side are integrally formed at the upper end portion of the front wall 103 of the receptacle housing 101. Further, rib members 112 a and 112 b are also provided on the side surfaces 110 a and 110 b forming the gap 109 of the front wall 103 substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface 107. The rib members 112a and 112b are formed one step higher than the rib members 111a and 111b and wider than the lower portion. In the vicinity of the upper ends of the rib members 112a and 112b, engaging protrusions 113a and 113b are integrally formed so as to protrude toward the gap side, that is, the center side. The engaging protrusions 113a and 113b engage with the engaging protrusions 37a and 37b when the plug connector 1 and the receptacle connector 2 are fitted, and maintain the fitted state of the plug connector 1 and the receptacle connector 2. . The engagement protrusions 113a and 113b and the engagement protrusions 37a and 37b constitute a lock mechanism.

The front side surfaces of the engagement protrusions 113a and 113b constitute the same surface as the outer surfaces of the rib members 111a, 111b, 112a, and 112b. Further, since the lower surfaces of the engagement protrusions 113a and 113b are substantially perpendicular to the side surfaces 110a and 110b of the front wall 103, that is, a surface perpendicular to the fitting direction of both connectors, The upper surface of 37b can be brought into surface contact, and the engaged state can be kept stable. Furthermore, since the upper surfaces of the engagement protrusions 113a and 113b are inclined surfaces 114a and 114b inclined downward with respect to the side surface of the front wall 103 in contact with the gap, the plug connector 1 is fitted to the receptacle connector 2. At this time, a part of the lower surface of the engagement protrusions 37a and 37b moves in the center direction while sliding on the inclined surface, so that it is possible to smoothly transition to the engagement state. The width in the front-rear direction of the engagement protrusions 113a and 113b is substantially the same as the protruding length of the engagement protrusions 37a and 37b. Therefore, in a state where the connectors are fitted to each other, the rear side surfaces of the engagement protrusions 113a and 113b are located in front of the front side surfaces of the fourth connecting members 35a and 35b of the plug connector 1.
Terminal portions 108 a and 108 b are provided on the bottom surface 107 of the receptacle housing 101.

Here, FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 are a top view, a front view, and a right side view of the plug connector 1, respectively. From FIG. 6, it can be seen that the lock arms 31a and 31b extend from the vicinity of the center of the left and right side surfaces 15a and 15b to the vicinity of the center of the front surface 16, respectively. It can also be seen that the second, third, and fourth connecting members 33a, 33b, 34a, 34b, 35a, and 35b are spaced from the left and right side surfaces 15a and 15b and the front surface 16 by a predetermined dimension, respectively.
From FIG. 7, it can be seen that the lock arms 31 a and 31 b protrude from the vicinity of the lower end of the bulging portion 14 to the left and right and extend to the side surface of the plug housing 11 while bending. Further, FIG. 8 shows a structure in which the lock arms 31 a and 31 b are integrally connected to the vicinity of the lower end of the right side surface 15 a of the plug housing 11.
Here, the distance between the second connecting member 33a and the right side surface 15a and the second connecting member 33b and the left side surface 15b is such that the engagement protrusions are engaged with each other or released when the second connecting members 33a and 33b are released. It is determined according to the amount of movement.

  Further, FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 are a top view, a front view, and a right side view of the receptacle connector 2, respectively. As shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of terminals 152a are arranged alternately in the front-rear direction in the terminal portion 108a, and a plurality of terminals 152b are arranged alternately in the front-rear direction in the terminal portion 108b. FIG. 10 clearly shows the shapes of the engaging protrusions 113a and 113b. More specifically, the lower surfaces of the engaging protrusions 113a and 113b are substantially perpendicular to the end surfaces of the rib members 112a and 112b, and the upper surface is inclined toward the center. In this way, when the upper surfaces of the engagement protrusions 113a and 113b are inclined surfaces, the engagement protrusions 37a and 37b of the plug connector 1 are slid on the inclined surface while the connectors are fitted to each other. It is drawn in to the side and can engage smoothly. FIG. 11 shows the positional relationship between the lock member 121 and the receptacle housing 101.

  Next, FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to the present embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, the plug connector 1 is provided with terminals 51 whose perspective view is shown in FIG. 13 in parallel, and a thin plate-like tip of the terminal 51 protrudes toward the receptacle connector 2 side. ing. The receptacle connector 2 is provided with terminals 152a and 152b for receiving the tips of the terminals 51a and 51b of the plug connector 1. The shapes of the terminals 152a and 152b of the receptacle connector 2 are shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 14, the portions that receive the tip portions of the terminals 51 a and 51 b of the plug connector 1 are formed in a bifurcated shape, and the opposite side is formed in a single linear shape.

  The receptacle connector 2 is a so-called straight type connector, and is mounted so that the back surface of the bottom surface 107 of the receptacle connector 2 is in contact with the circuit board surface. For this reason, the insertion recess opens with the insertion opening facing upward, and extends perpendicular to the main surface of the circuit board. And each side wall 102-105 of the receptacle housing 101 becomes substantially perpendicular | vertical with respect to the main surface of a circuit board.

  The lock member 121 is supported so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction with respect to the receptacle housing 101. The locking member 121 is disposed at a position separated from the receptacle housing 101 in a stage before the plug connector 1 is fitted to the receptacle connector 2, and is forwardly moved after the plug connector 1 is fitted to the receptacle connector 2. The plug connector 1 is completely fixed to the receptacle connector 2.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the connector according to the first embodiment, and shows a state after fitting. In FIG. 2, in addition to the connector, a circuit board 3 on which the receptacle connector 2 is mounted is also shown. As shown in the figure, the lower portion of the plug connector 1 is inserted into the insertion recess of the receptacle connector 2. In the fitted state, the second connecting members 33a and 33b and the third connecting members 34a and 34b of the plug connector 1 are in contact with the upper end surfaces of the right side wall 102, the front wall 103, and the left side wall 104 of the receptacle connector 2. It is arranged at a position spaced slightly upward. Further, the lower surface of the bulging portion 14 of the plug connector 1 and the lower surfaces of the fifth connecting members 36a and 36b are in contact with the bottom surface 107 of the receptacle connector 2 or are disposed at positions slightly above.

  Further, in the engaged state, the engagement protrusions 37a and 37b of the plug connector 1 and the engagement protrusions 113a and 113b of the receptacle connector 2 are in an engaged state, and the engagement state of the plug connector 1 and the receptacle connector 2 is maintained. ing.

  Next, using the front view of the connector according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, how the plug connector 1 is fitted to the receptacle connector 2 is shown in FIGS. 4 and step by step in the order of FIG.

  First, the operator operates the plug connector 1 with fingers or the like so that the facing surface 39 of the plug connector 1 faces the bottom surface 107 of the receptacle connector 2. Then, the plug connector 1 is moved in a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the circuit board, and the plug connector 1 is inserted into the insertion recess of the receptacle housing 101 of the receptacle connector 2.

  FIG. 3 shows a state immediately before the engagement protrusions 37a and 37b are locked to the engagement protrusions 113a and 113b in the fitting operation, and the engagement protrusions 37a and 37b contact the upper surfaces of the engagement protrusions 113a and 113b. The connector is shown in the state. In this state, the relative positions of the lock arms 31a and 31b with respect to the side surface and the front surface of the plug housing 11 are the same as in a normal state where no external force is applied to the lock arms 31a and 31b.

  FIG. 4 shows the connector in a state where an external force is applied to a part of the lock arms 31a and 31b to engage the engaging protrusions. The operator presses the second connecting members 33a and 33b from both sides (outside in the left-right direction) in the direction of the arrow E in the drawing, that is, toward the center in the longitudinal direction of the connector, and approaches both connectors. Energize to.

  When an external force E acts on the second connecting members 33a and 33b, the first connecting members 32a and 32b are elastically deformed from the side surface of the plug housing 11, and the inner side surfaces of the second connecting members 33a and 33b. Touches the side surface of the plug housing 11 or moves to the vicinity. In accordance with the movement of the second connecting members 33 a and 33 b, the third connecting members 34 a and 34 b move substantially in parallel toward the longitudinal center of the plug housing 11. At this time, in the state where the external force E is not acting, the protrusions 13a, 13b are located at the positions close to the bulging portion 14 in the notches 38a, 38b, that is, near the center, but the external force E acts, When the third connecting members 34a and 34b move, the projecting portions 13a and 13b move relatively to the positions away from the bulging portion 14 at the notches 38a and 38b, that is, to the end surface side in the longitudinal direction of the plug housing 11. The projections 13a and 13b and the notches 38a and 38b restrict the lock arms 31a and 31b from excessively moving in the left-right direction and the upward direction when viewed from the front. In other words, the protrusions 13a and 13b and the cutouts 38a and 38b function to prevent the lock arms 31a and 31b in the plug housing 11 from being damaged. With this function, the lock arms 31a and 31b can stably move at a desired position, no large distortion occurs locally, and damage to the lock arms 31a and 31b can be prevented.

  Further, when the third connecting members 34a and 34b move in the central direction, the upper ends of the fourth connecting members 35a and 35b are biased and moved in the central direction by the third connecting members 34a and 34b. At this time, since the lower ends of the fourth connecting members 35a and 35b are supported by the fifth connecting members 36a and 36b, their positions do not move. Accordingly, the bent portion between the third connecting members 34a and 34b and the fourth connecting members 35a and 35b and the bent portion between the fourth connecting members 35a and 35b and the fifth connecting members 36a and 36b are Each elastically deforms so as to have an acute angle. And the 4th connection member 35a, 35b which was substantially perpendicular | vertical with respect to the opposing surface 39 of the plug housing 11 in the normal time inclines. Along with this deformation, the engagement protrusions 37a and 37b provided on the fourth connecting members 35a and 35b can move to the center side of the engagement protrusions 113a and 113b of the receptacle connector 2. As shown in FIG. 4, it is possible to move to the lower side of the engaging projections 113a and 113b without colliding with the mating projections 113a and 113b.

  FIG. 5 shows the connector in a state where the application of the external force E is canceled from the state shown in FIG. 4 and the engagement protrusions 37a and 37b are engaged with and locked to the engagement protrusions 113a and 113b. When the operator releases the application of the external force E by moving his / her fingers away from the second connecting members 33a and 33b, the operator is inclined by the elastic return force of the lock arms 31a and 31b that have been elastically deformed according to the action of the external force E. The fourth connecting members 35a and 35b that have been brought to a state of being substantially perpendicular to the facing surface of the plug housing 11 return the engaging protrusions 37a and 37b to their original positions. Then, the engagement protrusions 37a and 37b are engaged with the engagement protrusions 113a and 113b of the receptacle connector 2. Thus, in a state where the engagement protrusions are engaged with each other, even if the plug connector 1 is urged in a direction to be removed from the receptacle connector 2, they are not separated. In particular, since the connector according to the present embodiment is a center lock type, a state where only one side is locked cannot occur and can be reliably locked.

When the plug connector 1 is removed from the receptacle connector 2, the state shown in FIG. 5 is changed to the state shown in FIG. 3 through the state shown in FIG.
In the state shown in FIG. 5, the operator moves the second connecting members 33a, 33b from both sides (outside in the left-right direction) with two fingers in the direction of arrow E in the figure, that is, toward the center in the longitudinal direction of the connector. Press.
When the second connecting members 33a and 33b move in the direction of arrow E, the engagement protrusions 37a and 37b and the engagement protrusions 113a and 113b are disengaged, and the plug connector 1 can be removed from the receptacle connector 2. .
Then, the second connecting members 33a and 33b are urged in the direction of pulling apart so as to pull up the second connecting members 33a and 33b while pressing the second connecting members 33a and 33b.
At that time, a predetermined urging force is required to disengage both connectors, so that the lock levers 31a and 31b are bent by the first, fourth and fifth connecting members 32a, 32b, 35a, 35b, 36a and 36b. Although it moves upward, the movement is regulated by the protrusions 13a and 13b. Since the second and third connecting members 33a, 33b, 34a, and 34b are formed to be relatively strong so as not to cause unnecessary bending, the operator does not cause the lock levers 31a and 31b to move excessively. By pulling up the connecting members 33a and 33b, both connectors can be released from the fitted state.

  As described above, the connector according to the present embodiment can perform the locking operation and the releasing operation by applying the external force E so that the both end surfaces in the longitudinal direction of the connector are sandwiched with one hand. Is excellent.

  In particular, in the connector according to the present embodiment, the plug connector 1 is fitted to the receptacle connector 2 mounted on the circuit board from the vertical direction of the circuit board with the cable extending in the horizontal direction to the circuit board. However, in such a case, it is difficult to perform the operation of grasping both end surfaces of the plug connector 1 in the short direction because the cable or the board becomes an obstacle. If the locking operation and the releasing operation can be performed by the operation of sandwiching both end faces in the longitudinal direction as in the present invention, the workability is further improved.

  As described above, according to the connector according to the present embodiment, by operating the lock arms 31 on both side surfaces, the engagement protrusions 37a and 37b of the plug connector 1 and the engagement protrusion of the receptacle connector 2 are operated. 113a and 113b can be engaged and disengaged. Therefore, since the lock operation and the release operation can be performed by operating a side surface different from the lock surface even though it is a so-called center lock structure, there is little occurrence of lock failure and the fitting operation between the connectors. Excellent workability for work and removal work.

Embodiment 2 of the Invention
Next, the structure of the connector according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the connector according to the second embodiment, and shows a state before fitting. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the connector according to the second embodiment, and shows a state after fitting.

  In the connector according to the first embodiment, the lock members 121 that completely prevent the plug connector 1 and the receptacle connector 2 from being separated are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the connector. The connector is different in that the lock member 321 is provided near the center in the longitudinal direction of the connector.

  On the other hand, since the lock structure according to the second embodiment is basically the same as that of the first embodiment, the lock arms 231a and 231b of the plug connector 1 are the same as the lock arms 31a and 231 of the first embodiment. Since the configuration is similar to that of 31b and the engagement protrusions 113a and 113b of the receptacle connector 2 have the same configuration as the engagement protrusions 313a and 313b of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  The connector according to the second embodiment can achieve the same effects as the connector according to the first embodiment of the invention.

Other embodiments.
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made based on the spirit of the present invention, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the locking mechanism in the connector according to the first and second embodiments, the engagement protrusions 37a, 37b, 237a, 237b of the plug connector 1 and the engagement protrusions 113a, 113b, 313a, 313b of the receptacle connector 2 are engaged. However, both of them need not be protrusions, and any of them may be a recess and a combination with a protrusion that fits into the recess. Further, with respect to the projecting direction, for example, the projecting body of the plug connector 1 is projected outward, even if the projecting body of the plug connector 1, 201 is not the front side and the projecting body of the receptacle connector 2, 202 is not the center side. May be. However, in order to ensure a large movable range of the lock arms 31 and 231, it is desirable that the protrusions of the plug connectors 1 and 201 protrude to the front side.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, a configuration is adopted in which one end of each of the pair of lock arms 31a, 31b, 131a, 131b extends from the bulging portions 14, 214. First, the lock arms 31a and 213a and the lock arms 31b and 213b are integrally formed continuously, one end extends from the right side of the plug housings 11 and 211, and the other end extends from the left side of the plug housings 11 and 211. Other portions may be configured to be separated from the plug housings 11 and 211.

  In the above example, only the lock arms 31 and 231 are integrally connected to the plug housings 11 and 211 at both ends. However, if the movement of the lock arms 31 and 231 is not hindered, It may be configured to connect.

It is a perspective view of the connector concerning Embodiment 1 of an invention, and is a figure showing the state before fitting. It is a perspective view of the connector concerning Embodiment 1 of an invention, and is a figure showing a fitting state. It is a front view of the connector concerning Embodiment 1 of an invention, and is a figure for explaining the state before lock in fitting operation. It is a front view of the connector concerning Embodiment 1 of an invention, and is a figure for explaining the state in the middle of a lock in fitting operation. It is a front view of the connector concerning Embodiment 1 of an invention, and is a figure for explaining lock completion in fitting operation. It is a top view of the plug connector which is a part of connector concerning Embodiment 1 of invention. It is a front view of the plug connector which is a part of connector concerning Embodiment 1 of invention. It is a right view of the plug connector which is a part of connector concerning Embodiment 1 of invention. It is a top view of the receptacle connector which is a part of connector concerning Embodiment 1 of invention. It is a front view of the receptacle connector which is a part of connector concerning Embodiment 1 of invention. It is a right view of the receptacle connector which is a part of connector concerning Embodiment 1 of invention. It is sectional drawing of the connector concerning Embodiment 1 of invention, and is XX arrow sectional drawing which shows in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the terminal of the plug connector which is a part of connector concerning Embodiment 1 of invention. It is a perspective view which shows the terminal of the receptacle connector which is a part of connector concerning Embodiment 1 of invention. It is a perspective view of the connector concerning Embodiment 2 of invention, and is a figure which shows the state before fitting. It is a perspective view of the connector concerning Embodiment 2 of invention, and is a figure which shows the state fitted. It is a perspective view of the conventional connector, and is a figure which shows the state before a fitting.

Explanation of symbols

1, 201 Plug connector 2, 202 Receptacle connector 3, 203 Circuit board 11, 211 Plug housing 12a, 12b, 212a, 212b Terminal receiving hole 13a, 13b, 213a, 214b Protruding portion 14, 214 Swelling portion 15a, 15b Side surface 16 Front surface 21, 221 Electric wires 31a, 31b, 231a, 231b Lock arms 32a, 32b, 232a, 232b First connecting members 33a, 33b, 233a, 233b Second connecting members 34a, 34b, 234a, 234b Third connecting members 35a, 35b, 235a, 235b Fourth connecting member 36a, 36b, 236a, 236b Fifth connecting member 37a, 37b, 237a, 237b Engaging projection 38a, 38b, 238a, 238b Notch 39 Opposing surface 39a Taper 51a 51b Child 101, 301 Receptacle housing 102, 302 Right side wall 103, 303 Front wall 104, 304 Left side wall 105, 305 Rear wall 106a, 106b, 306a, 306b Housing portion 107, 307 Bottom surface 108a, 108b, 308a, 308b Terminal portion 109, 309 Gap 111a, 111b, 311a, 311b Rib member 112a, 112b, 312a, 312b Rib member 113a, 113b, 313a, 313b Engagement protrusion 114a, 114b Inclined surface 121, 321 Lock member 122 Protrusion 151a, 151b, 351a, 351b Mounting bracket 152a, 152b, 352a, 352b Terminal 801 Plug connector 802 Receptacle connector 803 Printed circuit board 811 Lower wall 812 Locking portion 921 Fitting space 922 Locking protrusion

Claims (8)

A first connector having a first Haujin grayed the first pin is disposed,
A connector and a second connector having a second Haujin grayed second pin connected to said first pin is disposed,
Said first Haujin grayed, the opposed surface opposed to the second connector, substantially perpendicular lock on side surfaces and a side surface, the facing surface and the opposite facing each other in substantially perpendicular to the opposing surface A first lock arm and a second lock arm extending from each of the side surfaces to the vicinity of the center of the lock surface ,
The two Rokkua arm extends bent in the opposite side in the vicinity of the center of the locking surface and having a first engagement portion in the extending portion thereof,
It said second Haujin grayed has a second engaging portion engageable against the first engagement portion,
A bulge is provided near the center of the lock surface,
The first lock arm extends from one side surface of the bulging portion and is connected to the one side surface,
A connector in which the second lock arm extends from the other side surface of the bulging portion and is connected to the other side surface. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first engaging portion is a protrusion protruding in a direction away from the lock surface. Said second Haujin grayed has a gap provided in the vicinity of the center of the front wall corresponding to the locking surface, the first connector and a state in which fitted the second connector, wherein during the gap Rise receiving an outgoing portion, and providing the second engagement portion engaging with the first engagement portion provided on each of the first Rokkua arm and said second Rokkua arm on either side of the gap The connector according to claim 2 . The connector according to claim 3, wherein each of the second engaging portions is a protrusion protruding toward the gap. Connector according to claim 1, characterized in that a guide mechanism for restricting the movement of the Rokkua arm to said first Haujin grayed said Rokkua arm. It said guide mechanism, said a first projecting portion provided on Haujin grayed, provided in the Rokkua arm, the connector according to claim 5 characterized in that it comprises a notch for receiving the protrusion. It said second connector is back side of the bottom surface against said first connector is a connector of claims 1 to 6, wherein it is a mounting surface to be mounted in contact with the circuit board person.   When the lock arms on both side surfaces of the first housing are pressed to the housing side, the engagement between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion is released,
  The connector according to claim 1.

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