Connector
The connector addresses the limitation of snap-fit type connectors by incorporating a locking portion for snap-fit connections and a holding portion with a screw groove for screw-fit connections, enabling secure connections with both types of connectors and enhancing practicality.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE112019001325
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2018-03-14
- Filing Date
- 2019-03-06
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-30
- Estimated Expiration
- 2039-03-06
AI Technical Summary
Existing snap-fit type connectors can only connect and hold other snap-fit type connectors, limiting their practicality as they cannot connect with connectors of different connection types, such as screw-fit connectors.
A connector design featuring a locking portion with multiple hook portions for snap-fit connections and a holding portion with a screw groove for screw-fit connections, allowing the connector to be locked and held with both snap-fit and screw-fit mating connectors.
The connector achieves high convenience by being able to securely connect and hold both snap-fit and screw-fit type connectors, enhancing its practicality and versatility.
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Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector. STATE OF THE ART
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a first connector and a second connector that can be connected to each other in a predetermined direction. The first connector has a recessed portion with a locking portion therein. Furthermore, the second connector has a tubular shape that can be inserted into the recess of the first connector and has, on its outer peripheral surface, a locking portion with which the locking portion of the first connector can be locked. PRIOR ART DOCUMENT PATENT DOCUMENT
[0003] Patent Document 1: US 7,695,302 B Further prior art is formed by DE 10 2017 004 266 B4, DE 10 2004 028 060 B4, US 2007 / 0 105 417 A1 and CN 101 976 786 A. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION
[0004] Incidentally, the first connector and the second connector are so-called snap-fit connectors. Generally, such a snap-fit connector can only connect and retain a snap-fit connector, so a connector that is not a snap-fit connector cannot be connected and retained, which is disadvantageous in practice.
[0005] Therefore, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a highly practical connector capable of being connected and held with respect to a connector of a different connection type. MEANS FOR SOLVING THE TASKS
[0006] A connector according to an example of the present disclosure is capable of being locked and held with respect to a first mating connector connected in a first direction, or capable of being held and attached with respect to a second mating connector connected in the first direction, the connector comprising: a connector main body having a connecting portion extending in the first direction, provided at a first end portion in the first direction, and capable of being connected to the first mating connector and the second mating connector, a locking portion disposed at the first end portion of the connector main body around the first direction and capable of being locked with a portion to be locked of the first mating connector in the first direction in a connected state in which the first mating connector is connected to the connecting portion, and a holding portion having a tubular shape, surrounding the locking portion around the first direction, and movable relative to the connector main body in the first direction, wherein the holding portion has a screw groove portion provided on an inner peripheral surface at an end portion in the first direction and adjacent to the first end portion and capable of being attached to a screw thread portion of the second mating connector in a connected state in which the second mating connector is connected to the connecting portion, wherein the locking portion has a plurality of hook portions extending in the first direction, arranged at intervals around the first direction, and capable of being locked to the portion to be locked by elastic deformation in a second direction intersecting the first direction and away from the connector main body, and the holding portion is movable between a holding position in which the holding portion holds the plurality of hook portions locked with the portion to be locked, a holding release position which is remote from the first end portion relative to the holding position in the first direction and in which the holding portion releases the holding of the locking portion, and an attachment position which is adjacent to the first end portion of the connector main body relative to the holding position in the first direction A and in which the screw groove portion is attached to the screw thread portion. EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In the connector, the locking portion includes the plurality of hook portions extending in the first direction, spaced at intervals around the first direction, and elastically deformable in the second direction intersecting the first direction and away from the connector main body. Furthermore, the holding portion has a tubular shape, surrounds the locking portion around the first direction, and has a screw groove portion provided on the inner peripheral surface at the end portion adjacent to the connecting portion in the first direction.The presence of the plurality of hook portions enables the connector to be locked and held in the connected state with respect to the first mating connector of a snap-fit connection type, and the presence of the screw groove portion enables the connector to be attached and held in the connected state with respect to the second mating connector of a screw connection type. That is, it is possible to realize the connector with high usability, which is capable of being held in the connected state with respect to not only the mating connector of a snap-fit connection type but also the mating connector of a screw connection type. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the Fig. 1, in which a holding section is removed. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a locking portion of the Fig. 1 shows the connector shown. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the holding section of the Fig. 1 shows the connector shown. Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a second end portion of a connector main body viewed from a direction different from the direction of Fig. 1 of the Fig. 1 shown connector. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line VI-VI of Fig. 1 is taken. Fig. Fig. 7 is a first schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which a mating connector is connected to the Fig. 1 shown connector. Fig. Fig. 8 is a second schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the mating connector is connected to the Fig. 1 shown connector. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a modification of the Fig. 1 shows the connector shown. Fig. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a first end portion of a connector main body taken along a line XX of Fig. 9 is taken. MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0008] The following is a description of an example of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that in the following description, terms indicating specific directions or positions (for example, terms including "top," "bottom," "right," and "left") are used where necessary. However, the use of these terms is intended to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings, and the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited by the meanings of the terms. Furthermore, the following description merely shows an example in its nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, applications of the present disclosure, or uses of the present disclosure.Furthermore, the drawings are schematic drawings and relationships between dimensions do not necessarily correspond to the actual relationships.
[0009] As in Fig. 1, a connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is capable of being selectively connected and held with respect to a first mating connector of a so-called snap-fit connection type and a second mating connector of a so-called screw connection type in a first direction A. That is, the connector 1 is capable of being locked and held with respect to the first mating connector connected in the first direction A, and is capable of being attached and held with respect to the second mating connector connected in the first direction A. The connector 1 includes a connector main body 10 capable of being connected to the mating connector, a locking portion 20 disposed on the connector main body 10 around the first direction A, and a holding portion 30 on the locking portion 20 around the first direction A.The holding portion 30 is movable in the first direction A relative to the connector main body 10.
[0010] As in Fig. 1, the connector main body 10 includes a connecting portion 11 extending in the first direction A, provided at a first end portion 101 in the first direction A, and capable of being connected to the mating connector. Further, a cable 2 having a conductor portion therein is connected to a second end portion 102 of the connector main body 10 in the first direction A. According to this embodiment, the connector main body 10 has, for example, an approximately cylindrical shape and serves as a female receptacle.
[0011] Inside the connecting portion 11, a plurality of terminal receiving portions 12 are provided, into which plug terminals of the mating connector can be inserted and from which the plug terminals can be withdrawn, each in the first direction A. Each of the terminal receiving portions 12 accommodates a female terminal electrically connected to the conductor portion of the cable 2. Note that, for example, in the connector 1, four terminal receiving portions 12 are provided in the connecting portion 11.
[0012] Furthermore, an O-ring 16 is provided on an outer periphery of the connecting portion 11. The O-ring 16 is configured to seal a space between the connecting portion 11 and the mating connector in a connected state in which the mating connector is connected to the connecting portion 11.
[0013] As in Fig. 2, a guide portion 13 is attached to the second end portion 102 of the connector main body 10. This guide portion 13 has a guide groove portion 14 capable of receiving a guide projection 32 of the holding portion 30, which will be described later. The guide groove portion 14 extends, from the second end portion 102 of the connector main body 10 toward the first end portion 101 in the first direction A, in a spiral around a center line L of the connector main body 10 extending in the first direction A to guide the holding portion 30 in the first direction A over the guide projection 32.
[0014] Note that the guide portion 13 of the connector 1 is provided with, for example, two guide groove portions 14 which are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center line L of the connector main body 10.
[0015] Furthermore, a coil spring 15 as an example of an elastic portion is provided between the connecting portion 11 and the guide portion 13 of the connector main body 10. The coil spring 15 extends and contracts, respectively, in the first direction A to urge the holding portion 30 in the first direction A toward a holding position P2 (see Fig. 7), which will be described later.
[0016] As in Fig. 2, the locking portion 20 is arranged at the first end portion 101 of the connector main body 10 about the first direction A and capable of being locked with a portion to be locked of the mating connector in the first direction A in the connected state in which the mating connector is connected to the connecting portion 11.
[0017] Specifically, the locking portion 20 includes a main body portion 21 having a ring shape surrounding the connector main body 10 around the first direction A, and a plurality of hook portions 22 provided on the main body portion 21, extending in the first direction, and arranged at intervals around the first direction A. The connector 1 is provided with, for example, four hook portions 22 arranged at equal intervals around the first direction A.
[0018] Each of the hook sections 22 has, as shown in Fig. 3, has an arcuate plate shape curved along an outer surface of the connector main body 10, and is elastically deformable in a second direction intersecting the first direction A (i.e., in a radial direction with respect to the center line L) and away from the connector main body 10. A distal end portion of each of the hook portions 22 (i.e., an end portion in the first direction A and adjacent to the first end portion 101 of the connector main body 10) has a protrusion portion 23 extending in the second direction and toward the connector main body 10. The protrusion portion 23 is capable of being locked with the portion to be locked in the first direction A in the connected state in which the mating connector is connected to the connecting portion 11.
[0019] As in Fig. 1, the holding portion 30 has a tubular shape (for example, an approximate cylindrical shape) and surrounds the locking portion 20 around the first direction A. As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the holding portion 30 is provided with a screw groove portion 31, the guide projection 32 and a plurality of hook receiving portions 33.
[0020] As in Fig. 4, the screw groove portion 31 is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the holding portion 30 at one end portion in the first direction A and adjacent to the first end portion 101 of the connector main body 10. The connector 1, for example, has four screw groove portions 31 arranged at equal intervals around the center line L of the connector main body 10. Each of the screw groove portions 31 has a plurality of screw grooves arranged at equal intervals in the first direction A.
[0021] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the guide projection 32 is located at an end portion in the first direction A and remote from the first end portion 101 of the connector main body 10 (i.e., an end portion adjacent to the second end portion 102). The guide projection 32 extends in the second direction and toward the connector main body 10 and is capable of being received in the guide groove portion 14 of the guide portion 13.
[0022] The hook receiving portions 33 are arranged on the holding portion 30 around the first direction A and each configured by an opening portion extending through the holding portion 30 in the second direction and capable of receiving a corresponding one of the plurality of hook portions 22 of the locking portion 20 at an attachment position P3 (see Fig. 8). That is, in the connector 1, for example, four hook receiving portions 33 are arranged at equal intervals around the center line L of the connector main body 10.
[0023] The screw groove portions 31 and the hook receiving portions 33 are alternately arranged in series around the center line L of the connector main body 10.
[0024] As in Fig. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the holding portion 30 is movable between three positions in the first direction A, that is, a holding release position P1, the holding position P2, and the attachment position P3. The holding release position P1, the holding position P2, and the attachment position P3 are arranged in this order toward the first end portion 101 of the connector main body 10.
[0025] As in Fig. 6, the holding release position P1 is a position in which each of the hook portions 22 of the locking portion 20 is allowed to move in the second direction B. As shown in Fig. 7, the holding position P2 is a position in which each of the hook portions 22, which is locked with a portion 120 to be locked in the first direction A, is restricted from moving in the second direction and is held in the connected state in which the mating connector is connected to the connecting portion 11. Further, as shown in Fig. 8, the attachment position P3 is a position in which a screw thread portion 130 of the mating connector is attached to the screw groove portion 31 in the connected state in which the mating connector is connected to the connecting portion 11.
[0026] Note that, since the holding portion 30 is urged toward the holding position P2 in the first direction A by the coil spring 15, the holding portion 30 is configured to be located at the holding position P2 in an initial state in which no external force is applied.
[0027] Next, with reference to Fig. 6 to 8, a description will be given of a movement of the connector 1 when the connector 1 is connected and held with respect to the mating connector.
[0028] First, as in Fig. 6, a connector main body 110 of the mating connector 100 is connected to the connector main body 10, with the holding portion 30 moved to the holding release position P1.
[0029] If the mating connector 100 is a connector of a so-called snap-fit connection type, as in Fig. As shown in FIG. 7, the connector main body 110 of the mating connector 100 is connected to the connector main body 10 so that the projection portion 23 of each of the hook portions 22 of the locking portion 20 is locked to the portion to be locked 120. In this state, the holding portion 30 is moved from the holding release position P1 to the holding position P2 to restrict movement of the projection portion 23 of each of the hook portions 22 in the second direction B. This results in the connector 1 being locked and held with respect to the mating connector 100 in the connected state. Note that, in general, a snap-fit connection type connector can be easily connected and held with respect to a mating connector compared to a screw connection type connector.
[0030] When the mating connector 100 is a connector of a so-called screw connection type in which the connector main body 110 of the mating connector 100 is connected to the connector main body 10, the holding portion 30, as shown in Fig. 8, moves from a holding release position P1 to the attachment position P3. At this time, the holding portion 30 moves along the guide groove portion 14 of the guide portion 13 (that is, while moving in a spiral around the center line L of the connector main body 10 from the second end portion 102 of the connector main body 10 toward the first end portion 101 in the first direction A). This results in the screw groove portion 31 of the holding portion 30 being fitted to the screw thread portion 130 of the mating connector 100, resulting in the connector 1 being fitted and held in the fitted state with respect to the mating connector 100. Note that, in general, a screw-fitting type connector can reliably maintain the fitted state with respect to the mating connector, compared with a snap-fitting type connector.
[0031] As described above, in the connector 1, the locking portion 20 includes the plurality of hook portions 22 extending in the first direction A, arranged at intervals around the first direction A, and elastically deformable in the second direction B intersecting the first direction A and away from the connector main body 10. Further, the holding portion 30 has a tubular shape, surrounds the locking portion 20 around the first direction A, and has the screw groove portion 31 provided on the inner peripheral surface at the end portion adjacent to the connecting portion 11 in the first direction A.The presence of the plurality of hook portions 22 enables the connector 1 to be locked and held in the connected state with respect to the first mating connector 100 of a snap-fit connection type, and the presence of the screw groove portion 31 enables the connector 1 to be attached and held in the connected state with respect to the second mating connector 100 of a screw connection type. That is, it is possible to realize the connector 1 with high usability, which is capable of being held in the connected state with respect to not only the mating connector 100 of a snap-fit connection type but also the mating connector 100 of a screw connection type.
[0032] Furthermore, the holding portion 30 includes the plurality of hook receiving portions 33 arranged around the first direction A and capable of receiving the plurality of hook portions 22 of the locking portion 20 at the attachment position P3. The presence of the hook receiving portions 33 makes it possible to realize the connector 1 with high ease of use while reducing the size in the radial direction of the connector 1.
[0033] Furthermore, each of the hook receiving portions 33 is formed by the opening portion extending through the holding portion 30 in the second direction. This makes it possible to realize the connector 1 with high ease of use with a simple configuration while reducing the size in the radial direction of the connector 1.
[0034] Furthermore, the locking portion 20 includes the main body portion 21 having a ring shape and surrounding the connector main body 10 around the first direction A, and the main body portion 21 is provided with the plurality of hook portions 22. This makes it possible to realize the connector 1 with high ease of use with a simple configuration.
[0035] Further, each of the hook portions 22 includes the protrusion portion 23 provided at the end portion in the first direction A and adjacent to the first end portion 101, extending in the second direction B and toward the connector main body 10, and capable of being locked with the portion to be locked 120 in the connected state in which the mating connector 100 is connected to the connecting portion 11. The holding portion 30 restricts the movement of the protrusion portion 23 in the second direction B at the holding position P2 to hold the locking portion 20. This makes it possible, with a simple configuration, to lock and hold the connector 1 with respect to a plurality of mating connectors 100 that are different in, for example, the shape of the portion to be locked 120 in the connected state.
[0036] The guide portion 13 is further provided at the second end portion 102 of the connector main body 10, the holding portion 30 having the guide projection 32 provided at the end portion in the first direction A and remote from the first end portion 101 and extending in the second direction and toward the connector main body 10, and the guide portion 13 has the guide groove portion 14 configured to receive the guide projection 32 to guide the holding portion 30 in the first direction A. This makes it possible to easily guide the holding portion 30 in the first direction A.
[0037] The coil spring 15 is further provided between the connecting portion 11 and the guide portion 13 and presses the holding portion 30 toward the holding position P2 in the first direction A. The presence of the coil spring 15 makes it possible to easily hold the holding portion 30 at the holding position P2.
[0038] Note that the connector 1 is capable of being connected and held in the connected state with respect to not only the mating connector 100 of a snap-fit connection type but also the mating connector 100 of a screw connection type, but it is not limited to this configuration. The connector 1 only needs to be capable of being locked and held with respect to at least the mating connector 100 of a snap-fit connection type, and the screw groove portion 31 of the holding portion 30 can be omitted, for example. Such a configuration can prevent the holding portion 30 from moving to the attachment position P3, thus eliminating the hook receiving portions 33.In the connector 1, the presence of the plurality of hook portions 22 makes it possible to lock and hold the connector 1 in the connected state with respect to a plurality of mating connectors 100 of a snap-fit connection type which are different in, for example, the shape of the portion 120 to be locked, and therefore it is possible to realize the connector 1 with high ease of use.
[0039] Each of the hook receiving portions 33 only needs to form a space that allows elastic deformation of the plurality of holding portions 22 in the second direction and away from the connector main body 10, and there is no limitation to the configuration in which each of the hook receiving portions 33 is configured by the opening portion extending through the holding portion 30 in the second direction. For example, as shown in Fig. 9 and Fig.10, each of the hook receiving portions 33 may be configured by a recessed portion provided on the inner peripheral surface of the holding portion 30. As described above, the configuration in which each of the hook receiving portions 33 is configured by a recessed portion makes it possible to enhance the waterproof effect compared to the configuration in which each of the hook receiving portions 33 is configured by the opening portion.
[0040] The locking portion 20 only needs to include the plurality of hook portions 22 extending in the first direction A, spaced apart around the first direction A, and elastically deformable in the second direction intersecting the first direction A and away from the connector main body 10. For example, the main body portion 21 having a ring shape may be omitted, and each of the hook portions 22 may be directly attached to the connector main body 10.
[0041] Each of the hook portions 22 only needs to be capable of being locked with the locking portion 120 of the mating connector 100 in the first direction A in the connected state in which the mating connector 100 is connected to the connecting portion 11. For example, the projection portion 23 of each of the hook portions 22 may have any shape and size according to the design of the connector 1 or the like.
[0042] The guide portion 13 can be omitted. This configuration also eliminates the guide projection 32 of the holding portion 30.
[0043] The elastic portion is not limited to the coil spring 15 and may have any configuration that can urge the holding portion 30 toward the holding position P2 in the first direction A. Furthermore, the coil spring 15 may be omitted.
[0044] Although the various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, a conclusive description of various aspects of the present disclosure will be given. Note that the following description is given by way of example with the accompanying reference numerals.
[0045] A connector 1 according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is capable of being locked and held with respect to a first mating connector connected in a first direction A, or capable of being held and attached with respect to a second mating connector connected in the first direction A, the connector 1 comprising: a connector main body 10 having a connecting portion 11 extending in the first direction A, provided at a first end portion 101 in the first direction A and capable of being connected to the first mating connector and the second mating connector, a locking portion 20 disposed at the first end portion 101 of the connector main body 10 about the first direction A and capable of being locked with a portion to be locked of the first mating connector in the first direction A in a connected state in which the first mating connector is connected to the connecting portion 11, and a holding portion 30 having a tubular shape, surrounding the locking portion 20 around the first direction A and movable relative to the connector main body 10 in the first direction A, wherein the holding portion 30 has a screw groove portion 31 provided on an inner peripheral surface at one end portion in the first direction A and adjacent to the first end portion 101 and capable of being attached to a screw thread portion of the second mating connector in a connected state in which the second mating connector is connected to the connecting portion 11, wherein the locking portion 20 has a plurality of hook portions 22 extending in the first direction A, arranged at intervals around the first direction A, and capable of being locked to the portion to be locked by elastic deformation in a second direction B intersecting the first direction A and away from the connector main body 10, and the holding portion 30 is movable between a holding position P2 in which the holding portion 30 holds the plurality of hook portions 22 locked with the portion to be locked, a holding release position P1 which is remote from the first end portion 101 relative to the holding position P2 in the first direction A and in which the holding portion 30 releases the holding of the locking portion 20, and an attachment position P3 which is adjacent to the first end portion 101 of the connector main body 10 relative to the holding position P2 in the first direction A and in which the screw groove portion 31 is attached to the screw thread portion.
[0046] In the connector 1 according to the first aspect, the presence of the plurality of hook portions 22 enables the connector 1 to be locked and held in the connected state with respect to the first mating connector of a snap-fit connection type, and the presence of the screw groove portion 31 enables the connector 1 to be attached and held in the connected state with respect to the second mating connector of a screw connection type. That is, it is possible to realize the connector 1 with high usability, which is capable of being held in the connected state with respect to not only the mating connector of a snap-fit connection type but also the mating connector of a screw connection type.
[0047] In the connector 1 according to a second aspect of the present disclosure the holding section 30 has: a plurality of hook receiving portions 33 arranged around the first direction A and capable of receiving the plurality of hook portions 22 of the locking portion 20 at the attachment position P3.
[0048] In the connector 1 according to the second aspect, the provision of the hook receiving portions 33 makes it possible to realize the connector 1 with high ease of use while reducing the size in the radial direction of the connector 1.
[0049] In the connector 1 according to a third aspect of the present disclosure each of the plurality of hook receiving portions 33 forms a space that allows the plurality of hook portions 22 to elastically deform in the second direction B and away from the connector main body 10.
[0050] In the connector 1 according to the third aspect, it is possible to realize the connector 1 with high ease of use with a simple configuration while reducing the size in the radial direction of the connector 1.
[0051] In the connector 1 according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure the locking portion 20 has a main body portion 21 having a ring shape and surrounding the connector main body 10 around the first direction A, and the plurality of hook portions 22 are provided on the main body portion 21.
[0052] In the connector 1 according to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to realize the connector 1 with high ease of use with a simple configuration.
[0053] In the connector 1 according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure each of the hook portions 22 has a projection portion 23 provided at one end portion in the first direction A and adjacent to the first end portion 101, extending in the second direction B and toward the connector main body 10, and capable of being locked to the portion to be locked in the connected state in which the mating connector is connected to the connecting portion 11, and the holding portion 30 restricts movement of the projection portion 23 in the second direction B at the holding position P2 to hold the locking portion 20.
[0054] In the connector 1 according to the fifth aspect, it is possible to lock and hold the connector 1 in the connected state with respect to a plurality of mating connectors which are different in, for example, the shape of the portion 120 to be locked, with a simple configuration.
[0055] The connector 1 according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure further comprises: a guide portion 13 provided at a second end portion 102 on a side of the connector main body 10 opposite the first end portion 101 in the first direction A, wherein the holding portion 30 has a guide projection 32 provided at one end portion in the first direction A and remote from the first end portion 101 and extending in the second direction B and toward the connector main body 10, and wherein the guide portion 13 has a guide groove portion 14 configured to receive the guide projection 32 to guide the holding portion 30 in the first direction A.
[0056] In the connector 1 according to the sixth aspect, it is possible to easily move the holding portion 30 in the first direction A.
[0057] The connector 1 according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure further comprises: an elastic portion 15 provided between the connecting portion 11 and the guide portion 13 and configured to urge the holding portion 30 in the first direction A toward the holding position P2.
[0058] In the connector 1 according to the seventh aspect, the presence of the elastic portion 15 makes it possible to easily hold the holding portion 30 at the holding position P2.
[0059] The connector 1 according to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure is capable of being locked and held with respect to a mating connector which is connected in a first direction A, the connector 1 comprising: a connector main body 10 having a connecting portion 11 extending in the first direction A, provided at a first end portion 101 in the first direction A and capable of being connected to the mating connector, a locking portion 20 disposed at the first end portion 101 of the connector main body 10 about the first direction A and capable of being locked with a portion to be locked of the mating connector in the first direction A in a connected state in which the mating connector is connected to the connecting portion 11, and a holding portion 30 which is movable in the first direction A relative to the connector main body 10 between a holding position P2 in which the holding portion 30 is arranged on the locking portion 20 around the first direction A to hold the locking portion 20, and a holding release position P1 which is remote from the first end portion 101 relative to the holding position P2 in the first direction A and in which the holding portion 30 releases the holding of the locking portion 20, wherein the locking section 20 has: a plurality of hook portions 22 extending in the first direction A, arranged at intervals around the first direction A and elastically deformable in a second direction B intersecting the first direction A and away from the connector main body 10.
[0060] In the connector according to the eighth aspect, the provision of the plurality of hook portions 22 makes it possible to lock and hold the connector 1 in the connected state with respect to a plurality of mating connectors 100 which are different in, for example, the shape of a portion 120 to be locked, and therefore it is possible to realize the connector 1 with high ease of use.
[0061] Note that a suitable combination of any of the various embodiments or any of the various modifications makes it possible to achieve the effects possessed by each of the embodiments or modifications. Furthermore, combinations of the embodiments, combinations of the modifications, or combinations of the embodiments and modifications are possible, and combinations of features in different embodiments or modifications are also possible.
[0062] While the present disclosure has been fully described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made. To the extent that such changes and modifications do not depart from the scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the appended claims, the changes and modifications are to be construed as being included within the scope of the present disclosure. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0063] The connector according to the present disclosure is applicable, for example, to a machine tool for an automobile. DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 1 connector 2 cables 10 connector main body 101 first final section 102 second final section 11 connecting section 12 Connection section 13 Guide section 14 Guide groove section 15 coil spring 16 O-ring 20 locking section 21 Main body section 22 Hook section 23 projection section 30 stopping section 31 Screw groove section 32 lead 33 Hook receiving section A first direction B second direction P1 Hold release position P2 holding position P3 Mounting position L Centerline
Claims
[1] A connector (1) capable of being locked and held with respect to a first mating connector connected in a first direction (A), or capable of being held and mounted with respect to a second mating connector connected in the first direction (A), the connector (1) comprising: a connector main body (10) having a connecting portion (11) extending in the first direction (A), provided at a first end portion (101) in the first direction (A) and capable of being connected to the first mating connector and the second mating connector; a locking portion (20) disposed at the first end portion (101) of the connector main body (10) about the first direction (A) and capable of being locked with a portion (120) to be locked of the first mating connector in the first direction (A) in a connected state in which the first mating connector is connected to the connecting portion (11); and a holding portion (30) having a tubular shape, surrounding the locking portion (20) around the first direction (A) and movable relative to the connector main body (10) in the first direction (A), wherein the holding portion (30) has a screw groove portion (31) provided on an inner peripheral surface at an end portion in the first direction (A) and adjacent to the first end portion (101) and capable of being attached to a screw thread portion (130) of the second mating connector in a connected state in which the second mating connector is connected to the connecting portion (11), wherein the locking portion (20) has a plurality of hook portions (22) extending in the first direction (A), arranged at intervals around the first direction (A) and capable of being locked to the portion to be locked (120) by elastic deformation in a second direction (B) intersecting the first direction (A) and away from the connector main body (10), and the holding portion (30) is movable between a holding position (P2) in which the holding portion (30) keeps the plurality of hook portions (22) locked to the portion to be locked (120), a holding release position (P1) which is remote from the first end portion (101) relative to the holding position (P2) in the first direction (A) and in which the holding portion (30) releases the holding of the locking portion (20), and an attachment position (P3) which is adjacent to the first end portion (101) of the connector main body (10) relative to the holding position (P2) in the first direction (A) and in which the screw groove portion (31) is attached to the screw thread portion (130). [2] Connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the holding portion (30) comprises: a plurality of hook receiving portions (33) arranged around the first direction (A) and capable of receiving the plurality of hook portions (22) of the locking portion (20) at the attachment position (P3). [3] The connector (1) according to claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of hook receiving portions (33) forms a space allowing the plurality of hook portions (22) to elastically deform in the second direction (B) and away from the connector main body (10). [4] The connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the locking portion (20) includes a main body portion (21) having a ring shape and surrounding the connector main body (10) around the first direction (A), and the plurality of hook portions (22) are provided on the main body portion (21). [5] Connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each of the hook portions (22) has a projection portion (23) provided at one end portion in the first direction (A) and adjacent to the first end portion (101), extending in the second direction (B) and toward the connector main body (10) and capable of being locked to the portion to be locked (120) in a connected state in which the mating connector is connected to the connecting portion (11), and the holding portion (30) restricts movement of the projection portion (23) in the second direction (B) at the holding position (P2) to hold the locking portion (20). [6] Connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: a guide portion (13) provided at a second end portion (102) on a side of the connector main body (10) opposite to the first end portion (101) in the first direction (A), wherein the holding portion (30) has a guide projection (32) provided at one end portion in the first direction (A) and remote from the first end portion (101) and extending in the second direction (B) and toward the connector main body (10), and the guide portion (13) has a guide groove portion (14) configured to receive the guide projection (32) to guide the holding portion (30) in the first direction (A). [7] Connector (1) according to claim 6, further comprising: an elastic portion (15) provided between the connecting portion (11) and the guide portion (13) and configured to urge the holding portion (30) in the first direction (A) toward the holding position (P2).
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