Connectors

Abstract

Reduce the stress applied to the cam pin. The connector (10) includes a first housing (20) and a second housing (90) that fit together and a fitting auxiliary component (40) mounted on the first housing (20). The second housing (90) has a cam pin (91). The fitting auxiliary component (40) has a cam groove (42) extending from an entrance (42A) to a bottom end (42B). The cam groove (42) includes: a fitting cam surface (43) that is pressed by the cam pin (91) in the fitting direction of the first housing (20); and a recess (45) that is connected to an end (43A) on the bottom end (42B) side of the fitting cam surface (43) and is recessed in the fitting direction relative to the end (43A) on the bottom end (42B) side of the fitting cam surface (43). In the interlocking state of the first housing (20) and the second housing (90), the cam pin (91) located on the bottom end (42B) side of the cam groove (42) is arranged in a manner not to contact the inner surface of the recess (45).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to connectors. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector configured to mate a rod-side connector with a fixed-side connector. The fixed-side connector includes a cam follower. The rod-side connector includes a rod with a cam groove. When the rod rotates, the cam follower moves along the cam groove, causing the rod-side connector to mate with the fixed-side connector. Such connectors are also disclosed in Patent Documents 2 to 9.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-165030

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-52810

[0007] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-311255

[0008] Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-351415

[0009] Patent Document 5: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-117045

[0010] Patent Document 6: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-188390

[0011] Patent Document 7: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-191704

[0012] Patent Document 8: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-195400

[0013] Patent Document 9: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-13666 Summary of the Invention

[0014] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0015] When the rod-side connector and the fixed-side connector are mated, the cam follower always maintains contact with the cam groove. Therefore, when vibrations from the engine, etc., are transmitted to the connector, stress is applied to the cam follower (cam pin), potentially affecting the durability of the cam follower (cam pin).

[0016] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a technology capable of reducing the stress applied to the cam pin.

[0017] Solutions to Problems

[0018] The connector disclosed herein comprises: a first shell and a second shell that fit together; and a fitting auxiliary component installed on the first shell, the second shell having a cam pin, the fitting auxiliary component having a cam groove extending from an entrance to a bottom end, the cam groove having: a fitting cam surface that is pressed by the cam pin toward the fitting direction of the first shell; and a recessed portion that is connected to the end portion on the bottom end side of the fitting cam surface and is recessed toward the fitting direction more than the end portion on the bottom end side of the fitting cam surface, and in the fitting state where the first shell and the second shell are fitted together, the cam pin located on the bottom end side of the cam groove is arranged in a manner that does not contact the inner surface of the recessed portion.

[0019] Effects of the Invention

[0020] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce stress applied to the cam pin. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the connector according to the first embodiment.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of a state where the operating member is removed from the first housing.

[0023] Figure 3 It is a perspective view of the fitting auxiliary member.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a diagram of the fitting auxiliary member as viewed from the inside.

[0025] Figure 5 It is a perspective view of the operating member.

[0026] Figure 6 This is a top cross-sectional view of the connector at the start of mating.

[0027] Figure 7 It is a top cross-sectional view of the connector in the mated state.

[0028] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 An enlarged view of the cam pin periphery is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure]

[0030] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0031] The connector of the present disclosure,

[0032] (1) It comprises: a first shell and a second shell that fit together; and a fitting auxiliary member installed on the first shell, the second shell having a cam pin, the fitting auxiliary member having a cam groove extending from an entrance to a bottom end, the cam groove having: a fitting cam surface that is pressed by the cam pin toward the fitting direction of the first shell; and a recessed portion that is connected to the end portion on the bottom end side of the fitting cam surface and is recessed toward the fitting direction more than the end portion on the bottom end side of the fitting cam surface, wherein, in the fitted state in which the first shell and the second shell are fitted together, the cam pin located on the bottom end side of the cam groove is arranged in a manner that does not contact the inner surface of the recessed portion.

[0033] The connector includes a mating auxiliary component. The cam groove of the mating auxiliary component has a mating cam surface that is pressed by the cam pin in the mating direction of the first housing. Therefore, the first housing and the second housing can be mated using the mating auxiliary component. Furthermore, the cam groove of the mating auxiliary component has a recessed portion that is connected to the end portion on the bottom side of the mating cam surface and is recessed toward the mating direction relative to the end portion on the bottom side of the mating cam surface. Moreover, in the mating state, the cam pin is configured so as not to contact the inner surface of the recessed portion. Therefore, even if vibration is transmitted to the connector from the outside, it is difficult for the cam pin to contact the cam groove. As a result, the stress applied to the cam pin can be reduced in the mating state.

[0034] (2) Preferably, the cam pin has a corner portion having an angular shape facing a side opposite to the fitting direction when viewed in the axial direction of the cam pin.

[0035] The cam pin has a corner portion, which increases its strength compared to a structure without a corner portion. Furthermore, since the corner portion is provided on the side of the cam pin opposite to the mating direction, it is possible to avoid the corner portion contacting the inner surface of the recess and applying stress to the cam pin.

[0036] (3) It is preferable that the cam pin is arranged so as not to contact the fitting cam surface in the fitting state.

[0037] In the mated state of this connector, the cam pin is arranged so as not to contact not only the inner surface of the recess but also the mating cam surface, so that the stress applied to the cam pin from the cam groove can be further reduced.

[0038] (4) Preferably, the recessed portion has an inclined surface connected to the end portion on the bottom end side of the fitting cam surface without a step.

[0039] The connector can make it even more difficult for the cam pin to come into contact with the inner surface of the recess.

[0040] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure]

[0041] The following is a reference to the attached Figure 1 While describing specific examples of the present disclosure, the present invention is not limited to these examples but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims and equivalents.

[0042] <Implementation Method 1>

[0043] Embodiment 1 illustrates a connector 10. Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the connector 10 includes a first connector 11 and a second connector 12 that fit together. Figures 6 to 8 The bottom of the image is considered the front, and the top is considered the back. Figures 6 to 8 The directions shown are regarded as left and right directions. Figures 6 to 8 The direction perpendicular to the paper is defined as the up-down direction. The front corresponds to the "mating direction" of the first connector 11, and the rear corresponds to the "detachment direction" of the first connector 11. In the accompanying drawings, the front is indicated as "F," the rear as "B," the top as "U," the bottom as "D," the left as "L," and the right as "R."

[0044] The first connector 11 is a rod-type connector. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the first connector 11 includes a first housing 20 , a pair of mating auxiliary members 40 , and an operating member 50 .

[0045] The first housing 20 is made of synthetic resin. Figure 2 As shown, the first housing 20 includes a block-shaped housing body 21 that is long in the left-right direction and a wire cover 22 that is attached to the rear side of the housing body 21 .

[0046] A plurality of terminal parts (not shown) are housed in the housing body 21. The electric wires 98 (see FIG. Figure 7 ) is led out from the opening on the rear surface of the housing body 21. Figure 2 and Figure 7 As shown, a pair of upper and lower guide recesses 23 extending in the left-right direction are formed in the housing body 21. The left and right ends of the guide recess 23 are open on the left and right surfaces of the housing body 21. The guide recess 23 accommodates the fitting auxiliary member 40. Figure 7 As shown, a pair of upper and lower rotation bearings 24 are formed in the housing body 21 ( Figure 7 Only one side is shown in FIG. 1 . A pair of rotation bearings 24 is disposed on the right end side of the housing body 21. The rotation bearings 24 support the operating member 50 so as to be rotatable between an initial position and a fitting position.

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 2 , the wire cover 22 includes a cover body 28, a pair of upper and lower first locking portions 35, and a pair of upper and lower second locking portions 36. Figure 7 As shown, the cover body 28 is assembled to the housing body 21 in a manner that covers the rear surface of the housing body 21. The cover body 28 is formed in a form with openings on the front and right surfaces, and the electric wires 98 led out from the opening on the rear surface of the housing body 21 to the rear are kept in a state of being bent to the right. Figure 2 As shown, a pair of upper and lower first locking portions 35 and a pair of upper and lower second locking portions 36 are provided on the left surface of the cover body 28. The pair of upper and lower first locking portions 35 and the pair of upper and lower second locking portions 36 lock the operation member 50 arranged in the fitting position.

[0048] The pair of fitting auxiliary members 40 are made of synthetic resin and are sliding members that slide in the left-right direction relative to the first housing 20 in this embodiment. Figure 3 As shown, the pair of fitting auxiliary members 40 are each formed into a rectangular plate shape that is long in the left-right direction in a plan view. Figure 7 As shown, a pair of mating assisting members 40 are assembled to the first housing 20 with their plate thickness oriented vertically into the guide recesses 23. Once inserted into the guide recesses 23, the mating assisting members 40 are able to move horizontally while being restricted from forward and backward and vertical displacement by the guide recesses 23. Each of the pair of mating assisting members 40 includes a drive bearing 41 and a cam groove 42.

[0049] like Figure 3 and Figure 7 As shown, the drive bearings 41 are formed on the outer side surfaces of the pair of mating assist members 40 (surfaces facing outward in the vertical direction when the mating assist member 40 is inserted into the guide recess 23). The drive bearings 41 are located on the right end of the mating assist member 40. The drive bearings 41 open at the rear surface of the mating assist member 40. The drive shaft 55 of the operating member 50 is housed in the drive bearings 41. As the operating member 50 rotates, the drive shaft 55 presses against the drive bearings 41, causing the mating assist member 40 to move in the left-right direction.

[0050] like Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, cam grooves 42 are recessed into the inner side surfaces of a pair of mating assist members 40 (surfaces facing inward in the vertical direction when the mating assist member 40 is inserted into the guide recess 23). Multiple cam grooves 42 are arranged in the left-right direction. The cam grooves 42 extend from an inlet 42A, which opens on the front surface of the mating assist member 40, to a bottom end 42B. The cam grooves 42 have an engagement cam surface 43 and a disengagement cam surface 44, which are opposed to each other in the front-to-back direction, a recess 45, and a bottom end surface 46. The engagement cam surface 43 is provided on the front side of the cam groove 42, and the disengagement cam surface 44 is provided on the rear side of the cam groove 42. The engagement cam surface 43 is inclined rearward and rightward from the right end of the inlet 42A. The recess 45 is connected to the end 43A on the bottom end 42B side of the mating cam surface 43 and is recessed forward of the end 43A on the bottom end 42B side of the mating cam surface 43. Specifically, the recess 45 is formed from an imaginary line (see FIG. Figure 8 The recess 45 is recessed forward (indicated by the dotted line indicating the "opening width 45W"). The recess 45 is recessed throughout the entire cam groove 42 in the up-down direction (depth direction). The recess 45 has: a first inclined surface 45A, which is connected to the end 43A on the bottom 42B side of the fitting cam surface 43 without a step, and is inclined forward toward the bottom 42B side; and a second inclined surface 45B, which is bent toward the right end (the end on the bottom 42B side) of the first inclined surface 45A and connected thereto, and is inclined backward toward the bottom 42B side. The first inclined surface 45A is equivalent to an example of an "inclined surface". The right end (the end on the bottom 42B side) of the second inclined surface 45B is connected to the front end of the bottom end surface 46. The inner surface of the recess 45 is composed of the first inclined surface 45A and the second inclined surface 45B.

[0051] like Figure 4 As shown, the disengagement cam surface 44 includes an inclined cam surface 44A that slopes rearward and rightward from the left end of the inlet 42A, and a flat cam surface 44B that extends from the right end of the inclined cam surface 44A (the end of the inclined cam surface 44A on the bottom end 42B side) toward the bottom end 42B side. The flat cam surface 44B is arranged opposite the recess 45 in the front-to-back direction. The right end of the flat cam surface 44B (the end of the flat cam surface 44B on the bottom end 42B side) is connected orthogonally to the rear end of the bottom end surface 46. The cam groove 42 has a corner portion 47 formed by the flat cam surface 44B and the bottom end surface 46. The flat cam surface 44B is arranged in the left-right direction, and the bottom end surface 46 is arranged in the up-down direction.

[0052] The operating member 50 is made of synthetic resin. The operating member 50 is a member that is grasped and operated by the operator when the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are fitted together. In this embodiment, it is a lever. Figure 5As shown, the operating member 50 is generally frame-shaped. Specifically, the operating member 50 includes a pair of upper and lower arms 51, a first connecting portion 52 that connects the base ends of the pair of arms 51 (on the side of a rotation shaft 54 ​​described later), and a second connecting portion 53 that connects the top ends of the pair of arms 51 (the sides gripped by the operator). The arms 51, first connecting portion 52, and second connecting portion 53 are each plate-shaped.

[0053] like Figure 5 and Figure 7 As shown, the operating member 50 includes a pair of upper and lower rotating shafts 54 and a pair of upper and lower drive shafts 55. The pair of rotating shafts 54 and the pair of drive shafts 55 are respectively arranged on the base end side of the operating member 50 in the vertical direction toward the axis. The pair of rotating shafts 54 and the pair of drive shafts 55 are respectively formed to protrude inward in the vertical direction from the inner side surfaces of the pair of arm portions 51. The pair of drive shafts 55 are arranged on the top side of the operating member 50 relative to the pair of rotating shafts 54.

[0054] like Figure 5 As shown, the operating member 50 includes a pair of upper and lower first latched portions 62 and a pair of upper and lower second latched portions 63. The pair of first latched portions 62 and the pair of second latched portions 63 are formed on the inner side surface of the second connecting portion 53. The first latched portion 62 is latched with the first latching portion 35 of the first housing 20. As a result, the operating member 50, which is arranged in the mating position, is restricted from displacement toward the initial position side. The second latched portion 63 is latched with the second latching portion 36 of the first housing 20. As a result, the operating member 50, which is arranged in the mating position, is restricted from displacement toward the side opposite to the initial position side.

[0055] The second connector 12 has a second housing 90 made of synthetic resin. Male terminal parts (not shown) are mounted on the second housing 90. Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , the second housing 90 has a cam pin 91 that protrudes upward and downward and outward. Figure 8 As shown, cam pin 91 has an angular corner portion 92 when viewed from the axial direction (top) of cam pin 91. When viewed from the axial direction of cam pin 91, cam pin 91 forms an arc shape, excluding corner portion 92. Corner portion 92 is located on the rear side of cam pin 91, projecting obliquely to the right and rearward from the cylindrical main body. Specifically, cam pin 91 has, on its outer circumference, a first surface 93 extending in the left-right direction; a second surface 94 connected to the right end of first surface 93 and extending in the front-to-back direction; and a third surface 95 extending in an arc shape from the front end of second surface 94 to the left end of first surface 93. Furthermore, first surface 93 and second surface 94 vertically define corner portion 92. The left-right width of cam pin 91 is greater than the left-right opening width 45W of recess 45.

[0056] The following description relates to the function and effect of the connector 10 .

[0057] The first connector 11 is assembled as follows. First, the pair of mating assist members 40 are attached to the housing body 21. Furthermore, the operating member 50 is attached from the rear of the housing body 21. Next, the terminal components (not shown) are inserted into the housing body 21, and the wire cover 22 is attached to the housing body 21. This completes the assembly of the first connector 11.

[0058] When the first housing 20 and the second housing 90 are fitted together, Figure 6 As shown, the operating member 50 is positioned in the initial position. In the initial position, the top end of the arm 51 is positioned to the rear of the wire cover 22. The rotating shaft 54 ​​of the operating member 50 engages with the rotating bearing 24 of the housing body 21, and the drive shaft 55 of the operating member 50 engages with the drive bearing 41 of the mating auxiliary member 40. Furthermore, the drive shaft 55 is positioned to the rear and right of the rotating shaft 54. Furthermore, the second housing 90 is shallowly mated with the first housing 20 from the front, and the cam pin 91 of the second housing 90 is positioned at the entrance 42A of the cam groove 42. From this state, when the operating member 50 is rotated toward the mating position about the rotating shaft 54, the mating auxiliary member 40 is pressed to the left by the operating member 50, and the cam pin 91 slides along the mating cam surface 43 toward the bottom end 42B. As a result, the cam pin 91 presses the fitting cam surface 43 forward, thereby fitting the first housing 20 and the second housing 90. In the final stage of the fitting process of the first housing 20 and the second housing 90, the cam pin 91 passes over the end 43A of the fitting cam surface 43 on the bottom end 42B side.

[0059] In the fitted state where the first housing 20 and the second housing 90 are fitted together, Figure 8 As shown, the cam pin 91 is positioned so as not to contact the inner surface of the recess 45 (specifically, the first inclined surface 45A and the second inclined surface 45B). Furthermore, the cam pin 91 is positioned with its tip inserted into the recess 45. Furthermore, the corner 92 of the cam pin 91 is positioned so as to oppose the corner 47 of the cam groove 42. Specifically, the first surface 93 of the corner 92 opposes the flat cam surface 44B in the front-to-back direction without contact, while the second surface 94 of the corner 92 opposes the bottom end surface 46 of the cam groove 42 in the left-to-right direction, in a state of proximity or contact.

[0060] When the operating member 50 is rotated toward the initial position, the fitting auxiliary member 40 moves rightward, and the cam pin 91 slides toward the inlet 42A along the disengagement cam surface 44. As a result, the cam pin 91 slides on the disengagement cam surface 44, and the first housing 20 is disengaged from the second housing 90.

[0061] As described above, the connector 10 includes the mating assist member 40. Furthermore, the cam groove 42 of the mating assist member 40 includes a mating cam surface 43 that is pressed forward of the first housing 20 by the cam pin 91. Therefore, the mating assist member 40 enables the first housing 20 and the second housing 90 to mate. Furthermore, the cam groove 42 of the mating assist member 40 includes a recess 45 that is connected to the end 43A on the bottom end 42B side of the mating cam surface 43 and is recessed forward of the end 43A on the bottom end 42B side of the mating cam surface 43. Furthermore, in the mated state, the cam pin 91 is positioned so as not to contact the inner surface of the recess 45. Therefore, even when vibration is transmitted from the outside to the connector 10, the cam pin 91 is unlikely to contact the cam groove 42, thereby reducing the stress applied to the cam pin 91 in the mated state.

[0062] Furthermore, cam pin 91 has corner portion 92, which improves its strength compared to a structure without corner portion 92. Furthermore, corner portion 92 is provided on the rear side of cam pin 91, thereby preventing corner portion 92 from contacting the inner surface of recess 45 and applying stress to cam pin 91.

[0063] Furthermore, in the mating state of the connector 10 , the cam pin 91 is arranged not only in contact with the inner surface of the recess 45 but also with the mating cam surface 43 , thereby further reducing the stress applied to the cam pin 91 from the cam groove 42 .

[0064] Furthermore, since the first inclined surface 45A is provided in the recess 45 of the connector 10 , it is possible to make it even more difficult for the cam pin 91 to contact the inner surface of the recess 45 .

[0065] [Other embodiments of the present disclosure]

[0066] The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered in all respects as illustrative and non-restrictive.

[0067] (1) In the first embodiment, the cam pin is arranged to be inserted into the recess in the fitted state. However, the cam pin may be arranged not to be inserted into the recess as long as it does not contact the inner surface of the recess.

[0068] (2) In the above-mentioned embodiment 1, the mating auxiliary member can be moved in the left and right directions relative to the first shell by the operating member, but it can also be a sliding rod that engages and disengages the first connector and the second connector by a sliding action that does not require an operating member, or it can be a so-called rotating rod that the mating auxiliary member itself can be rotatably supported on the first shell like an operating member, and engages and disengages the first connector and the second connector by a rotating action.

[0069] Description of Reference Numerals

[0070] 10: Connector

[0071] 11: 1st connector

[0072] 12: Second connector

[0073] 20: Shell 1

[0074] 21: Shell body

[0075] 22: Wire cover

[0076] 23: Guide recess

[0077] 24: Rotating bearing

[0078] 28: Cover body

[0079] 35: First locking part

[0080] 36: Second locking part

[0081] 40: Chiming auxiliary component

[0082] 41: Drive bearing

[0083] 42: Cam groove

[0084] 42A: Cam groove entrance

[0085] 42B: Bottom of the cam groove

[0086] 43: Cam surface for fitting

[0087] 43A: End portion on the bottom side of the fitting cam surface

[0088] 44: Cam surface for disengagement

[0089] 44A: Inclined cam surface

[0090] 44B: Flat cam surface

[0091] 45: Concave

[0092] 45A: First inclined surface (inclined surface)

[0093] 45B: Second inclined surface

[0094] 45W: The opening width of the recess in the left and right directions

[0095] 46: bottom end face

[0096] 47: Corner

[0097] 50: Operation components

[0098] 51: Arm

[0099] 52: First connection

[0100] 53: Second connection

[0101] 54: Rotation axis

[0102] 55: Drive shaft

[0103] 62: First locked portion

[0104] 63: Second locked portion

[0105] 90: Second shell

[0106] 91: Cam pin

[0107] 92: Corner

[0108] 93: Page 1

[0109] 94: Page 2

[0110] 95: Page 3

[0111] 98: Wires

Claims

1. A connector comprising: A first shell and a second shell that fit together; and a fitting auxiliary sliding member mounted on the housing body of the first housing, The second housing has a cam pin, The fitting auxiliary sliding member has a cam groove extending from the entrance to the bottom end, The cam groove includes: a fitting cam surface pressed by the cam pin in the fitting direction of the first housing; and a recessed portion connected to the end portion on the bottom end side of the fitting cam surface, extending from an imaginary line in the left-right direction passing through the end portion toward the fitting direction of the first housing, i.e., the front, and recessed. In a fitted state in which the first housing and the second housing are fitted to each other, the cam pin located on the bottom end side of the cam groove is arranged so as not to come into contact with the inner surface of the recessed portion.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein The cam pin has a corner portion having an angular shape facing a side opposite to the fitting direction when viewed in the axial direction of the cam pin.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: In the fitted state, the cam pin is arranged so as not to come into contact with the fitting cam surface.

4. The connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The recessed portion includes a first inclined surface that is continuous with the end portion on the bottom end side of the fitting cam surface without a step and is inclined forward toward the bottom end side.

5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein The recess further includes a second inclined surface that is bent toward and connected to the right end of the first inclined surface and that is inclined rearward toward the bottom end.

6. The connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The fitting auxiliary slider is inserted into a guide recess formed in the longitudinal direction of the housing body of the first housing and is slidable in the longitudinal direction relative to the first housing.

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