connector

Abstract

The present invention provides a connector that can prevent the mating detection member from falling off the operating member. [Solution] The connector 1 comprises a first housing 2, a second housing 3 that can be fitted into the first housing 2, a lever 4 rotatably supported by the second housing 3, and a fitting detection member 5 mounted on the lever 4 so as to be movable between a temporary locking position and a permanent locking position. The fitting detection member 5 has an elastically deformable cantilevered lock arm 52 and a projection 56 extending along a direction parallel to the extending direction of the lock arm 52. The lever 4 has a locking portion 61 that locks the lock arm 52 in the permanent locking position and a housing hole 46 that accommodates the projection 56 in the permanent locking position.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a connector, one including a first housing, a second housing that can be fitted to the first housing, and a CPA member (fitting detection member) is known (see Patent Document 1). This fitting detection member is a member for detecting that the first housing and the second housing are completely fitted.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As the aforementioned connector, there is one provided with an operating member rotatably supported by the second housing, and configured such that when this operating member is rotationally operated, the first housing and the second housing are relatively moved in the fitting direction. When the fitting detection member is mounted on the operating member so as to be movable between a temporary locking position and a main locking position, there is a concern that when a foreign object or the like catches on the fitting detection member and the fitting detection member is pulled, the fitting detection member may drop off from the operating member.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art. And an object of the present invention is to provide a connector capable of suppressing the dropping off of the fitting detection member from the operating member.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A connector according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a first housing, a second housing that can be fitted into the first housing, an operating member rotatably supported by the second housing, and a fitting detection member mounted on the operating member so as to be movable between a temporary locking position and a permanent locking position, wherein the fitting detection member has an elastically deformable cantilevered locking arm and a projection extending in a direction parallel to the extending direction of the locking arm, and the operating member has a locking portion for locking the locking arm at the permanent locking position and a housing hole for accommodating the projection at the permanent locking position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector that can suppress the detachment of the mating detection member from the operating member. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the connector showing the mating detection member in a temporary locking position. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the connector showing the mating detection member in the locked position. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the lever and the fitting detection member. [Figure 5] This is a magnified perspective view of the main part of the connector, showing the mating detection member in a temporary locking position. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 5. [Figure 7] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB. [Figure 8] This is a magnified perspective view of the main part of the connector, showing the state in which the mating detection member is in the locked position. [Figure 9] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the CC line. [Figure 10] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the DD line. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The connector according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for illustrative purposes and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0010] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the connector 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the connector 1 showing the mating detection member 5 in the temporary locking position. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the connector 1 showing the mating detection member 5 in the permanent locking position.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the connector 1 according to this embodiment comprises a first housing 2, a second housing 3, an operating member (lever 4), and a mating detection member 5.

[0012] The first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are fitted together along a predetermined longitudinal direction X. The longitudinal direction X is the axial direction of the first housing 2 and the fitting direction in which the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are fitted together. The width direction of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 is simply referred to as the "width direction Y," and the height direction of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 is simply referred to as the "height direction Z." The width direction Y is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and the height direction Z is perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction X and the width direction Y.

[0013] The first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are fitted together by butting their respective ends together.

[0014] The first housing 2 is, for example, a male connector housing. The first housing 2 has a first main body portion 11 formed in a cylindrical shape. A first terminal 12 is held in the first main body portion 11. A plurality (two in this embodiment) of the first terminals 12 are arranged at intervals in the width direction Y. Further, the first housing 2 has a flange portion 13 that is fixed to a housing of a device or the like, and a plurality of collars 14 are held in the flange portion 13. Furthermore, a rack gear portion 15, which will be described later, and a guide groove portion 17 (see FIG. 1) that extends along the fitting direction (front-rear direction X) of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are formed in the first main body portion 11.

[0015] The second housing 3 is, for example, a female connector housing. The second housing 3 has a second main body portion 21 formed in a cylindrical shape. Inside the second main body portion 21, a second terminal (not shown) is accommodated, and an electric wire W connected to the second terminal is led out from the second main body portion 21. A plurality (two in this embodiment) of the second terminals are arranged at intervals in the width direction Y, and the electric wires W connected to the respective second terminals extend along the height direction Z. The space between the second main body portion 21 and the electric wire W is sealed by a packing (not shown), and the end portion of the second main body portion 21 is closed by a packing holder 23.

[0016] Hood portions 24 are respectively formed on both sides in the width direction Y of the second main body portion 21 of the second housing 3. Inside the hood portions 24, a guide rail portion (not shown) that extends along the fitting direction (front-rear direction X) of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 and with which the guide groove portion 17 is engaged is formed. Further, shaft portions 26 are respectively formed on both sides in the width direction Y of the second main body portion 21 of the second housing 3.

[0017] When the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are fitted together, the guide groove portion 17 and the guide rail portion are engaged with each other, and the fitting of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 is guided by these guide groove portion 17 and guide rail portion.

[0018] In this embodiment, a guide groove portion 17 is formed in the first housing 2, and a guide rail portion (not shown) is formed in the second housing 3. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a guide rail portion may be formed in the first housing 2 and a guide groove portion may be formed in the second housing 3.

[0019] Further, a pressing protrusion 27 and a pair of left and right locking protrusions 28 are formed on the second main body portion 21 of the second housing 3 (see FIG. 1). The pressing protrusion 27 pushes up the locking protrusion 53 of the lock arm 52 when the lever 4 is rotated to fit the first housing 2 and the second housing 3. The locking protrusion 28 locks the locked portion 57 formed on the main body portion 51 of the fitting detection member 5 at the main locking position.

[0020] The lever 4 as an operation member includes a rotation operation portion 41 and an operation lever portion 42. The rotation operation portion 41 is rotatably supported by a shaft portion 26 formed on the second main body portion 21 of the second housing 3. A through hole portion 43 through which the shaft portion 26 is inserted and a transmission gear portion 44 described later are formed in the rotation operation portion 41. The operation lever portion 42 is connected to the rotation operation portion 41 and is rotated to fit the first housing 2 and the second housing 3.

[0021] The fitting detection member 5 is attached to the operation lever portion 42 of the lever 4. The fitting detection member 5 is a member that detects that the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are completely fitted. The connector 1 according to the present embodiment can realize fitting assurance (CPA: Connector Position Assurance) by the fitting detection member 5. After the lever 4 is rotated to fit the first housing 2 and the second housing 3, the fitting detection member 5 is slid from the temporary locking position (see FIG. 2) to the main locking position (see FIG. 3). The main locking position is a detection position indicating that the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are completely fitted.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, the rack gear section 15 has a plurality of rack teeth 16. The rack gear section 15 is a gear section that meshes with the transmission gear section 44, and the plurality of rack teeth 16 are arranged in a line along the front-rear direction X.

[0023] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the transmission gear section 44 has multiple tooth grooves 45. The transmission gear section 44 is a gear section that meshes with the rack gear section 15, and the multiple tooth grooves 45 are arranged in an arc centered on the through hole section 43.

[0024] When the lever 4 is rotated while the rack gear section 15 and the transmission gear section 44 are engaged, the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are moved relative to each other in the fitting direction (front-rear direction X). As a result, the first housing 2 is pushed into the second housing 3, and the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are fitted together (see Figures 2 and 3).

[0025] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the lever 4 and the mating detection member 5. Figure 5 is a magnified perspective view of the main part of the connector 1 showing the mating detection member 5 in the temporary locking position. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of Figure 5, and Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of Figure 5. Figure 8 is a magnified perspective view of the main part of the connector 1 showing the mating detection member 5 in the permanent locking position. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of Figure 8, and Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD of Figure 8.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the fitting detection member 5 is assembled to the lever 4 so as to be movable between a temporary locking position and a permanent locking position. The fitting detection member 5 has a main body portion 51 and an elastically deformable cantilever-shaped lock arm 52 formed in the left-right center of the main body portion 51. A lock projection 53 is formed at the tip of the lock arm 52, which locks into a locking portion 61 (described later) at the permanent locking position. Furthermore, elastically deformable cantilever-shaped arm portions 54 and housing grooves 55 for accommodating the projection 63 (described later) are formed on both the left-right sides of the main body portion 51. In other words, the main body portion 51 of the fitting detection member 5 has a pair of left and right arm portions 54 and a pair of left and right housing grooves 55.

[0027] Furthermore, the fitting detection member 5 has a projection 56 formed in the left-right central part of the main body 51 and extending in a direction parallel to the extending direction of the lock arm 52. In this embodiment, the projection 56 is configured to have a projection body 56a and a guide projection 56b formed on the projection body 56a. In addition, the main body 51 of the fitting detection member 5 has a locking portion 57 formed which locks (engages) with the locking projection 28 formed on the second housing 3 at this locking position (see Figures 7 and 10).

[0028] On the other hand, the operating lever portion 42 of the lever 4 has a locking portion 61 that locks the lock arm 52 in the locked position, and a notch portion 62 that is cut out from the locking portion 61 in the opposite direction to the mounting direction of the fitting detection member 5. In addition, the operating lever portion 42 has a projection 63 and a slit 64 that extends along the mounting direction of the fitting detection member 5 into which the arm portion 54 of the fitting detection member 5 is inserted. In other words, the operating lever portion 42 of the lever 4 has a pair of left and right projections 63 and a pair of left and right slits 64.

[0029] Furthermore, the operating lever portion 42 of the lever 4 has a housing hole portion 46 that accommodates the projection portion 56 in the locked position. In this embodiment, the housing hole portion 46 is configured to have a housing hole body 46a and a guide groove 46b into which the guide projection 56b engages. In addition, the operating lever portion 42 of the lever 4 has an insertion hole portion 47 through which the locking projection 28 formed in the second housing 3 is inserted when the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are assembled (see Figures 7 and 10).

[0030] The assembly of the fitting detection member 5 to the operating lever portion 42 of the lever 4 will be described below.

[0031] To assemble the fitting detection member 5 to the operating lever portion 42 of the lever 4, as shown in Figure 4, the fitting detection member 5 is placed in front of the portion to be assembled on the operating lever portion 42 of the lever 4, and the fitting detection member 5 is moved in the mounting direction (towards the operating lever portion 42).

[0032] Since there is nothing to interfere with the locking projection 53 of the lock arm 52 at the insertion point of the operating lever portion 42, the lock arm 52 can be moved to the temporary locking position in front of the locking portion 61 without bending it. Furthermore, even if the lock arm 52 of the fitting detection member 5 is inserted at an angle to the operating lever portion 42, there is no need to bend the lock arm 52, thus preventing excessive bending, deformation, and damage to the lock arm 52.

[0033] The operation of the fitting detection member 5 will be described below.

[0034] As shown in Figures 2, 5 to 7, after assembling the first housing 2 and the second housing 3, the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are fitted together by rotating the lever 4. As shown in Figure 6, when the fitting detection member 5 is in the temporary locking position, the lever 4 is rotated to fit the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 together, causing the lock projection 53 of the lock arm 52 to be pushed up by the pressing projection 27 formed on the second housing 3. When the lock projection 53 is pushed up by the pressing projection 27, the fitting detection member 5 can be moved from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position. In this embodiment, when the fitting detection member 5 is in the temporary locking position, a part of the guide projection 56b of the projection 56 of the fitting detection member 5 is inserted (engaged) into the guide groove 46b of the housing hole 46 of the lever 4 (see Figures 5 and 6).

[0035] As shown in Figures 3 and 8 to 10, by pushing the fitting detection member 5 into the locked position, the locked portion 57 of the fitting detection member 5 is locked (engaged) with the locking projection 28 formed on the second housing 3, and the projection 56 is housed (fitted) into the housing hole 46. As shown in Figure 9, when the fitting detection member 5 is in the locked position, the projection body 56a of the projection 56 is housed in the housing hole body 46a of the housing hole 46, so the projection 56 is restrained by the housing hole 46, and the detachment of the fitting detection member 5 from the lever 4 can be suppressed.

[0036] As described above, the connector 1 according to this embodiment comprises a first housing 2, a second housing 3 that can be fitted into the first housing 2, and an operating member (lever 4) that is rotatably supported by the second housing 3. The connector 1 includes a fitting detection member 5 that is mounted on the operating member (lever 4) so ​​as to be movable between a temporary locking position and a permanent locking position. The fitting detection member 5 has an elastically deformable cantilever-shaped lock arm 52 and a projection 56 that extends along a direction parallel to the extending direction of the lock arm 52. The operating member (lever 4) has a locking portion 61 that locks the lock arm 52 in the permanent locking position and a housing hole 46 that accommodates the projection 56 in the permanent locking position.

[0037] In this embodiment, the fitting detection member 5 has a projection 56 extending in a direction parallel to the extending direction of the lock arm 52, and the lever 4 has a housing hole 46 that accommodates the projection 56 in the locked position. Therefore, by pushing the fitting detection member 5 in and moving it to the locked position, the projection 56 of the fitting detection member 5 is accommodated in the housing hole 46 formed in the second housing 3 (see Figure 9). When the fitting detection member 5 is in the locked position, the projection 56 of the fitting detection member 5 is accommodated in the housing hole 46, so the projection 56 is restrained by the housing hole 46, and the detachment of the fitting detection member 5 from the lever 4 can be suppressed.

[0038] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a connector 1 that can suppress the detachment of the mating detection member 5 from the operating member (lever 4).

[0039] In the connector 1, the projection 56 may be configured to have a projection body 56a and a guide projection 56b formed on the projection body 56a, and the housing hole 46 may be configured to have a housing hole body 46a and a guide groove 46b into which the guide projection 56b engages.

[0040] In this embodiment, when the fitting detection member 5 is in the locked position, the projection 56 of the fitting detection member 5 is housed in the housing hole 46, so the projection 56 is restrained by the housing hole 46. At this time, the projection body 56a is restrained by the housing hole 46 and the guide projection 56b is restrained by the guide groove 46b, so when foreign matter or the like gets caught on the fitting detection member 5 and the fitting detection member 5 is pulled, it is possible to prevent the fitting detection member 5 from falling off the lever 4.

[0041] In the connector 1, the operating member (lever 4) may have a rotating operating portion 41 that is rotatably supported on a shaft portion 26 formed in the second housing 3. The operating member (lever 4) may have an operating lever portion 42 that is connected to the rotating operating portion 41 and rotated to engage the first housing 2 and the second housing 3, and the engagement detection member 5 may be mounted on the operating lever portion 42.

[0042] In this embodiment, when the fitting detection member 5 is in the locked position, the projection 56 of the fitting detection member 5 is housed in the housing hole 46, so the projection 56 is restrained by the housing hole 46. Therefore, when foreign matter or the like gets caught on the fitting detection member 5 attached to the operating lever portion 42 of the lever 4, and the fitting detection member 5 is pulled, it is possible to prevent the fitting detection member 5 from falling off the operating lever portion 42 of the lever 4.

[0043] Although this embodiment has been described above, this embodiment is not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of this embodiment. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0044] 1 Connector 2. Housing 1 3. Second Housing 4 Lever 5. Fitting detection member 26 Shaft section 41 Rotating operation unit 42 Operating lever section 46. ​​Enclosure 46a Main body with housing opening 46b Guide groove 52 Lock Arm 56 Protrusion 56a Protrusion body 56b Guide projection 61 Locking part

Claims

1. The first housing and A second housing that can be fitted into the first housing, An operating member rotatably supported in the second housing, The system includes a fitting detection member that is mounted on the operating member so as to be movable between a temporary locking position and a permanent locking position, The fitting detection member is, An elastically deformable cantilever-shaped lock arm, It has a projection that extends along a direction parallel to the extending direction of the lock arm, The operating member is A locking portion that locks the lock arm at the aforementioned locking position, The locking position has a housing hole for housing the projection, connector.

2. The aforementioned projection is configured to have a projection body and a guide projection formed on the projection body, The aforementioned accommodating hole portion is configured to include an accommodating hole body and a guide groove into which the guide projection engages. The connector according to claim 1.

3. The operating member is A rotating operating part is rotatably supported on a shaft formed in the second housing, It has an operating lever portion which is connected to the rotating operating portion and rotated to fit the first housing and the second housing together, The fitting detection member is attached to the operating lever portion. The connector according to claim 1 or 2.

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