Housing and connector

Abstract

A housing (11) includes a housing body (20) and a locking mechanism (23) provided on the housing body (20) and configured to lock a locking protrusion (74) of a counterpart housing (71). The locking mechanism (23) includes a locking arm (40) which is cantilever beam-like, extends forward in a fitting direction of the counterpart housing (71) in the housing body (20), and has a locking portion (45) at a tip portion thereof, the locking portion being configured to lock the locking protrusion (74), and a pair of operation arms (50) which are connected to be provided on both sides of the locking portion (45) of the locking arm (40) and extend rearward in the fitting direction, the pair of operation arms being connected to each other at end portions thereof to form an operation portion (51). The locking arm (40) has a movement restriction protrusion (46) at a position opposite to the operation portion (51). The operation portion (51) abuts on the movement restriction protrusion (46) and is restricted from moving forward in the fitting direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a housing and a connector. Background Technology

[0002] like Figure 6 As shown, the locking mechanism 1 includes a locking arm 2 that stands upright from the housing and extends forward from its base end 6 in the mating direction with the mating connector. The locking arm 2 has a locking portion 3 at its free end, which has a locking hole 3a for locking the locking protrusion of the mating connector. Furthermore, the locking arm 2 includes a pair of operating arms 4 extending rearward from both sides of the locking portion 3 in the mating direction, and an operating portion 5 connecting the rear ends of the pair of operating arms 4. In the locking mechanism 1, when the operating portion 5 of the operating arm 4 is pressed downward, the locking arm 2 elastically deforms to release the locking portion 3 from locking the locking protrusion.

[0003] Citation List

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: JP2015-195126A Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical issues

[0007] In a connector with a housing having a locking mechanism 1 having the above-described structure, for example, when excessive external force is applied to the locking mechanism 1 during transport or other processes, the locking mechanism 1 may deform or break.

[0008] For example, when the external force F is too large (see...) Figure 6 When the operating part 5 of the operating arm 4 is applied forward along the mating direction with the mating connector, the operating part 5 is displaced forward. Figure 6 (in the direction of arrow A in the diagram), and the operating arm 4 flexes in the width direction. As a result, excessive stress is applied to the connection between the operating arm 4 and the locking part 3 of the locking arm 2, and damage or breakage such as cracking or fracture may occur in the connection between the operating arm 4 and the locking part 3 of the locking arm 2.

[0009] This disclosure is made in view of the above circumstances, and the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a housing and connector that prevents breakage or damage to the locking mechanism due to the application of external forces.

[0010] Technical solution

[0011] The above-mentioned objectives of this disclosure are achieved through the following structure.

[0012] A housing, comprising:

[0013] The housing body fits into the mating housing; and

[0014] A locking mechanism is disposed on the housing body and configured to lock the locking protrusions formed on the mating housing, wherein...

[0015] The locking mechanism includes:

[0016] A locking arm, cantilevered in shape, extends forward along the mating direction with the mating housing in the housing body, and has a locking portion at its end, the locking portion being configured to lock the locking protrusion; and

[0017] A pair of operating arms are connected to both sides of the locking portion of the locking arm and extend rearward along the engagement direction. The pair of operating arms are connected to each other at their ends to form an operating portion.

[0018] The locking arm has a movement-limiting protrusion at a position opposite to the operating part, and

[0019] The operating part abuts against the movement restriction protrusion and is restricted from moving forward along the engagement direction.

[0020] Beneficial effects of the invention

[0021] According to this disclosure, a housing and connector can be provided to prevent breakage or damage to the locking mechanism due to the application of external forces. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of a connector with a housing and a mating connector according to an embodiment.

[0023] Figure 2 It is a longitudinal sectional view of the housing fitted into the mating housing.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the shell.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the locking mechanism installed in the housing.

[0026] Figure 5 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the housing showing the state of the locking mechanism under external force.

[0027] Figure 6 This is a perspective view showing the locking mechanism of the housing in a prior art structure. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Specific embodiments according to this disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of the connector with a housing and the mating connector according to this embodiment. Figure 2 It is a longitudinal sectional view of the housing fitted into the mating housing. Figure 3 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the shell.

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, according to this embodiment, the housing 11 and the female terminal 27 together constitute the connector 10. The housing 11 is molded from synthetic resin, and the housing 11 is fitted with a seal 12 and a retainer 13.

[0031] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the housing 11 includes a housing body 20, a fitting portion 22, and a locking mechanism 23. The housing body 20 has a tubular cover portion 21, and the locking mechanism 23 is integrally formed on the upper part of the cover portion 21.

[0032] The tubular mating housing 71 of the mating connector 70 is fitted into the cover portion 21 of the housing body 20. Thus, the connector 10 engages with the mating connector 70. An opening 24 is formed on one side of the cover portion 21 of the housing body 20 (see...). Figure 1 ).

[0033] The fitting portion 22 is disposed inside the cover portion 21 of the housing body 20. The fitting portion 22 is integrally formed with the housing body 20 at the rear end side. The fitting portion 22 has a plurality of terminal receiving chambers 25 (see... Figure 1 The female terminal (terminal) 27, formed of a conductive metal material such as copper or a copper alloy, is housed in a terminal housing chamber 25 of the mating portion 22. Each female terminal 27 is connected to a wire 26, which extends from the rear end of the housing body 20. A rubber plug 31 is provided on the wire 26 and is embedded in the terminal housing chamber 25 to waterproof the terminal housing chamber 25.

[0034] The seal 12 is formed of an elastic material such as synthetic rubber or natural rubber and is formed in a ring shape. The seal 12 fits into the fitting portion 22 from the outside and is disposed at the root of the fitting portion 22. The seal 12 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the mating housing 71 in the cover portion 21 of the housing body 20. Thus, the housing 11 and the mating housing 71 are sealed to each other, and the waterproofness of the fitting portion is ensured.

[0035] The retainer 13 is formed of, for example, synthetic resin and has a plurality of spear-shaped portions 28. The retainer 13 is inserted through an opening 24 formed in the cover portion 21 and is embedded and received in a receiving portion 29 formed in the fitting portion 22. Thus, the spear-shaped portions 28 of the retainer 13 are disposed in the terminal receiving chamber 25 formed in the fitting portion 22, and the female terminal 27 inserted into the terminal receiving chamber 25 is locked by the spear-shaped portions 28 of the retainer 13.

[0036] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the locking mechanism installed in the housing.

[0037] like Figure 4 As shown, the locking mechanism 23 includes a locking arm 40 and a pair of operating arms 50. The locking arm 40 and the operating arms 50 are integrally formed with the housing body 20. A pair of protective walls 60 are formed on the housing body 20, and the protective walls 60 stand upright on both sides of the locking mechanism 23 (see Figure 20). Figures 1 to 3 Thus, both sides of the locking mechanism 23 are protected by the protective wall 60. The distal end of the protective wall 60 is connected via the connecting part 60a.

[0038] The locking arm 40 stands upright from the outer surface of the housing body 20 and extends forward in the direction of engagement with the mating housing 71. Thus, the locking arm 40 is formed as a cantilever beam with the portion connected to the housing 11 serving as the base end 41.

[0039] The locking arm 40 has a locking portion 45 at its distal end, which is the free end, for locking a locking protrusion 74 (described later) formed on the mating housing 71. A locking hole 48 is formed in the locking portion 45, and the locking protrusion 74 engages with the locking hole 48.

[0040] The operating arms 50 are connected to both sides of the locking portion 45 of the locking arm 40. The operating arms 50 extend rearward in the engagement direction with the mating housing 71. The rear ends of the operating arms 50 are connected to each other, and the connecting portion is the operating portion 51. The operating portion 51 is disposed at a position behind the base end 41 of the locking arm 40 in the engagement direction.

[0041] The locking arm 40 constituting the locking mechanism 23 has a movement limiting protrusion 46. The movement limiting protrusion 46 is formed on the base end 41 of the locking arm 40 and protrudes upward from the housing 11. The movement limiting protrusion 46 is positioned opposite the operating portion 51 of the operating arm 50 and is configured to have a predetermined gap with the operating portion 51. Furthermore, the movement limiting protrusion 46 includes a wall portion 47, which is provided along each operating arm 50 at both ends of the movement limiting protrusion. The wall portion 47 has a predetermined gap relative to each operating arm 50.

[0042] like Figure 1 As shown, the mating housing 71 is integrally formed with the housing 77 of various devices, for example. Additionally, the mating housing 71 can be fixed to the housing 77. The mating housing 71 of the mating connector 70 is formed of synthetic resin, and a plurality of male terminals (mating terminals) (not shown) are disposed inside the mating housing 71.

[0043] The mating housing 71 includes a pair of guide protrusions 73 and a locking protrusion 74 located on its upper part. The guide protrusions 73 are formed at intervals along the mating direction with the housing 11 of the connector 10. The locking protrusion 74 is formed at the center position of the housing 71 in the width direction between the pair of guide protrusions 73. The locking protrusion 74 protrudes from the upper surface of the mating housing 71 and has a guide surface 75 that slopes upward toward the rear end of the connector 10 on the front side in the mating direction.

[0044] Next, the case where the housing 11 of connector 10 and the mating housing 71 of mating connector 70 are engaged with each other will be described.

[0045] The cover portion 21 of the housing 11 is brought close to the mating housing 71 to engage the fitting portion 22. Then, the locking mechanism 23 is guided by the guide protrusion 73 of the mating housing 71, and the locking portion 45 of the locking arm 40 contacts the guide surface 75 of the locking protrusion 74.

[0046] When housing 11 is pushed into mating housing 71, the locking portion 45 of locking arm 40, which is in contact with guide surface 75 of locking protrusion 74, slides along guide surface 75 and begins to slide on it, and locking arm 40 elastically deforms.

[0047] When the housing 11 is further pushed into the mating housing 71, and the locking portion 45 passes the locking protrusion 74, the locking protrusion 74 engages with the locking hole 48 of the locking portion 45, and the elastically deformed locking arm 40 returns to its original position. Thus, the locking protrusion 74 is locked to the locking portion 45 of the locking arm 40, and the housing 11 is locked to the mating housing 71 in the engaged state. In this engaged state, the female terminal 27 of the connector 10 and the male terminal of the mating connector 70 are electrically connected.

[0048] Next, the case of separating the housing 11 of connector 10 from the mating housing 71 of mating connector 70 will be described.

[0049] To separate housing 11 from mating housing 71, the operating part 51 of the operating arm 50 of locking mechanism 23 is pressed downward. Then, locking arm 40 swings, and locking part 45 of locking arm 40 moves away from housing body 20, causing locking protrusion 74 to be pulled out from locking hole 48 of locking part 45. As a result, the lock of locking part 45 on locking protrusion 74 is released, and the lock between housing 11 and mating housing 71 is released.

[0050] In this state, by separating housing 11 and mating housing 71, connector 10 and mating connector 70 are separated, and the electrical connection between female terminal 27 and male terminal is released.

[0051] In the housing 11 according to this embodiment having locking mechanism 23, as Figure 5As shown, for example, when the housing 11 is being transported, an excessive external force F may be applied to the operating part 51 of the operating arm 50 in the direction of mating with the mating connector 70.

[0052] At this time, in the housing 11 according to this embodiment, when the operating part 51 moves forward in the fitting direction by an external force F (along... Figure 5 When the movement is directed (in the direction of arrow A), the operating part 51 abuts against the movement-limiting protrusion 46 formed on the base end 41 of the locking arm 40, and the forward movement of the operating part 51 in the engagement direction is restricted. This prevents excessive stress from being applied to the connection between the operating arm 50 and the locking part 45 of the locking arm 40 due to the deflection of the operating arm 50 in the width direction caused by the movement of the operating part 51.

[0053] As described above, the housing 11 according to this embodiment can prevent damage or breakage of the connection between the operating arm 50 and the locking part 45 of the locking arm 40, such as cracking or breakage, caused by excessive stress being applied to the connection between the operating arm 50 and the locking part 45 of the locking arm 40 when the operating part 51 moves forward in the fitting direction.

[0054] The movement limiting protrusion 46 for restricting the movement of the operating part 51 includes a wall portion 47 along the operating arm 50. Thus, the wall portion 47 of the movement limiting protrusion 46 can hold the operating arm 50 in a stable posture and prevent deflection. This more advantageously prevents damage or breakage, such as cracking or fracture, from occurring at the connection between the operating arm 50 and the locking portion 45 of the locking arm 40 due to external forces applied during transport or other processes.

[0055] According to the connector 10 including the housing 11 having the above-described structure, a highly reliable connector can be provided by including the housing 11 which prevents breakage or damage from external forces applied during transportation, etc.

[0056] Note that this disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be appropriately modified and improved. Furthermore, the material, shape, size, quantity, and arrangement of the components in the above embodiments are freely selectable, and are not limited as long as the present invention can be realized.

[0057] Hereinafter, the features of the housing and connector according to the embodiments of the present disclosure are briefly summarized and listed in [1] to [3] below.

[0058] [1] A housing (11) comprising:

[0059] The housing body (20) fits into the mating housing (71); and

[0060] A locking mechanism (23) is disposed on the housing body (20) and configured to lock the locking protrusion (74) formed on the mating housing (71).

[0061] The locking mechanism (23) includes:

[0062] A locking arm (40), which is cantilevered, extends forward along the engagement direction with the mating housing (71) in the housing body (20), and has a locking portion (45) at its end, the locking portion (45) being configured to lock the locking protrusion (74); and

[0063] A pair of operating arms (50) are connected to both sides of the locking portion (45) of the locking arm (40) and extend rearward along the engagement direction. The pair of operating arms (50) are connected to each other at their ends to form an operating portion (51).

[0064] The locking arm (40) has a movement-limiting protrusion (46) at a position opposite to the operating part (51), and

[0065] The operating part (51) abuts against the movement limiting protrusion (46) and is restricted from moving forward along the engagement direction.

[0066] According to the housing having the above-described [1] structure, for example, even when an excessive external force is applied to the operating part along the front side in the engagement direction during transport or the like, and the operating part causes the operating arm to flex while moving forward in the engagement direction, the operating part will still abut against the movement restriction protrusion of the locking arm, and its movement will be restricted. Thus, damage or breakage, such as cracking or fracture, of the connection between the operating arm and the locking part of the locking arm can be prevented due to excessive stress being applied to the connection between the operating arm and the locking part of the locking arm when the operating part moves forward in the engagement direction.

[0067] [2] According to the shell described in [1],

[0068] The motion-limiting protrusion (46) includes a wall portion (47) extending along the operating arm (50).

[0069] According to the housing having the above-described [2] structure, the wall portion of the movement-limiting protrusion can keep the operating arm in a stable posture and prevent deflection. As a result, it is more advantageous to prevent damage or breakage such as cracking or fracture at the connection between the locking portion of the operating arm and the locking arm due to external forces during the transport process.

[0070] [3] A connector, comprising:

[0071] According to the housing (11) described in [1] or [2]; and

[0072] A terminal (female terminal 27) is fitted into the mating housing (71) to electrically connect to the mating terminal disposed within the mating housing (71).

[0073] According to the connector having the above [3] structure, a highly reliable connector can be provided by including a housing that prevents damage or destruction by external forces applied during transport, etc.

[0074] Although various embodiments have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is self-evident that this disclosure is not limited to such examples. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or alterations can be made within the scope of the claims, and it should be understood that such modifications or alterations naturally fall within the technical scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the components described in the above embodiments can be freely combined without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0075] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-019062, filed on February 9, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0076] List of reference numerals

[0077] 10 connectors

[0078] 11 Casing

[0079] 12 seals

[0080] 13 Retainer

[0081] 20 Casing Body

[0082] 21 Cover Section

[0083] 22 Chimeric part

[0084] 23 Locking Institutions

[0085] 24 openings

[0086] 25-terminal containment chamber

[0087] 26 wire

[0088] 27 Female terminal (terminal)

[0089] 28 spear-shaped parts

[0090] 29th Containment Department

[0091] 31 Rubber Bolt

[0092] 40 locking arm

[0093] 41 base end

[0094] 45 Locking Part

[0095] 46 movement restriction protrusions

[0096] 47 Wall

[0097] 48 locking holes

[0098] 50 manipulator

[0099] 51 Operations Department

[0100] 60 protective wall

[0101] 60a Connection Part

[0102] 71 Matching Housing

[0103] 73 guide strips

[0104] 74 Locking Protrusions

[0105] 75 guide surface

[0106] 77 enclosure

Claims

1. A housing, comprising: The main body of the housing fits into the mating housing; as well as A locking mechanism is disposed on the housing body and configured to lock the locking protrusions formed on the mating housing. The locking mechanism includes: A locking arm, cantilevered in shape, extends forward along the mating direction with the mating housing in the housing body, and has a locking portion at its end, the locking portion being configured to lock the locking protrusion; and A pair of operating arms are connected to both sides of the locking portion of the locking arm and extend rearward along the engagement direction. The pair of operating arms are connected to each other at their ends to form an operating portion. The locking arm has a movement-limiting protrusion at a position opposite to the operating part, and The operating part abuts against the movement restriction protrusion and is restricted from moving forward along the engagement direction.

2. The housing according to claim 1, in, The movement restriction protrusion includes a wall portion extending along the operating arm.

3. A connector, comprising: The housing according to claim 1 or 2; as well as Terminals are fitted into the mating housing to electrically connect to mating terminals disposed within the mating housing.

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