Connector device

Abstract

Provided is a connector device capable of preventing a connector from being placed in a semi-fitting state. The lock arm (24) is provided with a first contact surface (52) at a position at which the lock arm (24) can come into contact with the lock part (76) during the fitting process of the first connector (20) and the second connector (30). The first contact surface (52) includes a sliding portion (54) that extends rearward from a contact start position where the first contact surface (52) begins to come into contact with the lock portion (76) and on which the lock portion (76) slides. The sliding portion (54) is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction. In the process of fitting the first connector and the second connector, when the locking part is in contact with the first abutting surface at the contact starting position, the first terminal (21) and the second terminal (71) are in a non-contact state. The lock arm is provided with a second contact surface (57) that can come into contact with the lock part. The second contact surface is formed rearward of the first contact surface, and the inclination angle with respect to the front-rear direction is larger than the inclination angle with respect to the front-rear direction of the first contact surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector arrangement. Background Art

[0002] The connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a structure in which the male connector and the female connector are mated by the protrusion of the flexible arm of the female connector passing over the locking portion of the male connector. The connector disclosed in Patent Document 2 is also a structure in which the male connector and the female connector are mated by the locking portion of the locking arm of the female connector bending and passing over the locked portion of the male connector. Prior art literature Patent Literature

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 6-50268 Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-147291 Summary of the invention Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] In the connector of Patent Document 1, in the semi-engaged state where the locking portion of the male connector begins to contact the protrusion of the flexible arm of the female connector, the male terminal and the female terminal can contact each other. Therefore, in this connector, even when the conduction check via the male terminal and the female terminal is performed in the semi-engaged state, there is a concern that the male terminal and the female terminal are connected and thus judged as an engaged state. In the connector of Patent Document 2, the locking arm is a flat surface along the front-to-back direction between the front end and the locking portion, so there is a concern that the engaging force will increase when the locking arm passes over the locking portion.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a connector device capable of preventing a connector from being placed in a half-fitted state. Solutions to Solve Problems

[0006] A connector device, comprising a first connector and a second connector that can be mated with each other, The first connector includes a first terminal, a first housing for accommodating the first terminal, and a locking arm formed on the first housing and capable of elastic deformation. The second connector includes a second terminal, a second housing for accommodating the second terminal, and a locking portion formed in the second housing and locked with the locking arm. The lock arm extends along the mating direction of the first connector and the second connector, that is, the front-rear direction, and has a flexure fulcrum portion connected to the first housing at the front end portion. In a state where the locking arm is locked to the locking portion, the first terminal and the second terminal are in contact with each other, and the first connector and the second connector are maintained in a mating state. The lock arm has a first contact surface at a position where it can contact the lock portion during the mating process of the first connector and the second connector. The first contact surface includes a sliding portion extending rearward from a contact start position where the locking portion starts to contact the first contact surface, and the locking portion contacts and slides on the sliding portion. The sliding portion is inclined relative to the front-rear direction, During the mating process of the first connector and the second connector, when the locking portion contacts the first abutting surface at the contact start position, the first terminal and the second terminal are in a non-contact state. The locking arm includes a second contact surface capable of contacting the locking portion. The second contact surface is formed behind the first contact surface, and has an inclination angle with respect to the front-rear direction that is greater than an inclination angle of the first contact surface with respect to the front-rear direction. Effects of the Invention

[0007] The present disclosure can provide a connector device that prevents a connector from being placed in a semi-fitted state. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the connector device according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the connector device according to the first embodiment. Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the first connector according to the first embodiment. Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the second connector according to the first embodiment. Figure 5 It is a side cross-sectional view of the connector device according to Embodiment 1 when it is in the contact start position. Figure 6 This is a side cross-sectional view of the connector device at a position where the locking portion of the first embodiment starts to contact the second abutting surface. Figure 7 It is a side cross-sectional view of the connector device in the mating completion state according to the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] The following lists and illustrates embodiments of the present disclosure. [1] A connector device, comprising a first connector and a second connector that can be mated with each other, the first connector having a first terminal, a first shell for accommodating the first terminal, and a locking arm formed on the first shell and capable of elastic deformation, the second connector having a second terminal, a second shell for accommodating the second terminal, and a locking portion formed on the second shell and locked with the locking arm, the locking arm extending along the mating direction of the first connector and the second connector, that is, the front-to-back direction, and having a flexure fulcrum portion connected to the first shell at the front end portion, when the locking arm is locked with the locking portion, the first terminal and the second terminal are in contact with each other, and the first connector and the second connector are maintained in the mating state, and the locking arm is in the first connector The locking arm has a second abutment surface that can contact the locking portion during the mating process with the second connector, the first abutment surface including a sliding portion that extends rearward from a contact starting position where the locking portion starts to contact the locking portion, and the locking portion slides in contact with the sliding portion at the sliding portion, the sliding portion being inclined relative to the front-to-back direction, and during the mating process of the first connector and the second connector, when the locking portion contacts the first abutment surface at the contact starting position, the first terminal and the second terminal are in a non-contact state, and the locking arm has a second abutment surface that can contact the locking portion, the second abutment surface being formed behind the first abutment surface, and having an inclination angle relative to the front-to-back direction that is greater than the inclination angle of the first abutment surface relative to the front-to-back direction.

[0010] According to the above-mentioned structure [1], during the mating process of the first connector and the second connector, when the locking part contacts the first abutting surface at the contact start position, the first terminal and the second terminal are in a non-contact state. Therefore, when the locking part contacts the first abutting surface at the contact start position, the first terminal and the second terminal are not conductive, and the semi-mated state of the first connector and the second connector can be grasped by the conductive check. Moreover, since the sliding part of the first abutting surface is inclined relative to the front-back direction, the force required for the mating operation can be reduced by bending the locking arm at a relatively early stage of the mating process. In addition, the locking arm has a second abutting surface with an inclination angle greater than that of the first abutting surface relative to the front-back direction. Therefore, when the locking part passes through the second abutting surface, the mating is not stopped midway and is easy to complete in one go, so that the mating of the first connector and the second connector is easy to complete. In particular, the second abutting surface is located at a position farther from the bending fulcrum than the first abutting surface, and the insertion force is easy to reduce when passing through the second abutting surface. Therefore, the connector device can prevent the first connector and the second connector from being placed in a half-fitted state.

[0011] [2] Preferably, in the connector device described in [1] above, the lock arm includes a straight surface along the front-rear direction between the first abutting surface and the second abutting surface.

[0012] According to the configuration of [2] above, when the locking portion contacts the straight surface, the elastic deformation of the locking arm can be reduced compared to the inclined surface. Therefore, the locking portion is more likely to face the second abutting surface located behind the straight surface, and when the two connectors are mated, the locking portion is more likely to touch the second abutting surface and press the second abutting surface.

[0013] [3] Preferably, in the connector device described in [1] or [2] above, the first terminal is a female terminal, the second terminal is a male terminal, the first shell has a front wall capable of stopping the first terminal, the front wall is provided with a through hole for inserting the second terminal, and when the locking portion contacts the first abutting surface at the contact starting position, the first terminal and the second terminal are separately arranged across the through hole of the front wall.

[0014] According to the configuration of [3] above, since the first terminal and the second terminal are arranged to be separated from each other via the front wall, the first terminal and the second terminal can be reliably separated from each other.

[0015] [4] Preferably, in the connector device described in any one of [1] to [3] above, the first terminal and the second terminal are in a non-contact state while the locking portion slides on the sliding portion.

[0016] According to the configuration of [4] above, during the mating process between the first connector and the second connector, the first terminal and the second terminal can be brought into contact with each other in a state closer to the completion of the mating.

[0017] [Detailed description of embodiments of the present disclosure] The following describes the embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to these examples but is represented by the claims, and includes all changes within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0018] [Implementation Method 1] The connector device 10 of the first embodiment includes a first connector 20 and a second connector 30 that can be mated with each other. The mating direction of the two connectors 20 and 30 is the front-to-back direction. In the first embodiment, the front-to-back direction is Figure 1 , Figure 5 The positive X-axis direction in is defined as the front. Figure 1 , Figure 5 The positive Z-axis direction in is defined as the top. Figure 1 The positive Y-axis direction is defined as the right side.

[0019] (First connector 20) like Figure 2 As shown, the first connector 20 is a female connector. The first connector 20 has a first terminal 21 and a first housing 22. The first housing 22 is a female housing. The first housing 22 is made of synthetic resin. The first housing 22 accommodates the first terminal 21. The first housing 22 is a single component having a flat shape. Figure 3 As shown, the first housing 22 includes a housing body 23 and a lock arm 24 .

[0020] The shell body 23 is in the shape of a flat rectangle as a whole. Figure 5 As shown, a plurality of terminal storage chambers 25 are formed in the housing body 23 and penetrate the housing body 23 in the front-to-back direction. The plurality of terminal storage chambers 25 are formed in a state where they are arranged in two rows in the upper and lower directions at a certain interval in the left-right direction. In each terminal storage chamber 25, a first terminal 21 fixedly mounted at the front end of an electric wire 26 is inserted.

[0021] like Figure 5 As shown, a front wall 27 is provided on the housing body 23. The front wall 27 constitutes a wall on the front side of the plurality of terminal storage chambers 25. The front wall 27 can stop the first terminal 21. Through holes 28 corresponding to the respective terminal storage chambers 25 are formed on the front wall 27. The second terminal 71 is inserted into the terminal storage chamber 25 through the through hole 28.

[0022] like Figure 3 As shown, the lock arm 24 is disposed at the left-right center of the first housing 22. The lock arm 24 extends in the front-rear direction. The lock arm 24 is elastically deformable in the up-down direction. The lock arm 24 includes a flexure fulcrum 41, an arm body 42, and an operating portion 43.

[0023] like Figure 5 As shown in the figure, the flexure fulcrum portion 41 constitutes the front end portion of the lock arm 24 and is connected to the front end portion of the outer wall surface (upper surface) 29 of the housing body 23. The arm body portion 42 is in the shape of a flat plate that is long in the front-to-back direction. The arm body portion 42 extends backward along the outer wall surface 29 of the housing body 23 from the flexure fulcrum portion 41 in a cantilevered manner. The operating portion 43 protrudes backward and upward from the rear end of the arm body portion 42. The operating portion 43 is used to perform a pressing operation to unlock the lock arm 24.

[0024] like Figure 5 As shown, a front upper surface 51, a first contact surface 52, and a straight surface 53 are provided on the upper surface of the arm body 42. The front upper surface 51 constitutes the front end side portion of the upper surface of the arm body 42. When the lock arm 24 is not elastically deformed, the front upper surface 51 is a flat surface along the front-back direction.

[0025] The first contact surface 52 is connected to the front upper surface 51 at the rear. The first contact surface 52 is located at a position that can contact the locking portion 76 of the second housing 72 described later during the mating process of the first connector 20 and the second connector 30. The first contact surface 52 is inclined relative to the front-rear direction in a manner that it rises and slopes rearward.

[0026] The first contact surface 52 extends rearward from a contact start position where it starts to contact a locking portion 76 of a second housing 72 described later, and includes a sliding portion 54 on which the locking portion 76 slides. The sliding portion 54 constitutes a rear end side portion of the first contact surface 52. The sliding portion 54 is inclined relative to the front-rear direction in a manner that it rises and inclines rearward.

[0027] The straight surface 53 is connected to the first contact surface 52 at the rear. The straight surface 53 is provided between the first contact surface 52 and a second contact surface 57 described later. The straight surface 53 is a flat surface along the front-rear direction when the lock arm 24 is not elastically deformed.

[0028] like Figure 5 As shown, a protrusion 55 and a rear upper surface 56 are provided on the upper surface of the arm body 42. The protrusion 55 protrudes upward from a position behind the straight surface 53. The protrusion 55 is rectangular in a plan view. A second contact surface 57 is provided on the front surface of the protrusion 55.

[0029] The second abutting surface 57 is formed at the rear of the first abutting surface 52. The second abutting surface 57 is connected to the straight surface 53 at the rear. The second abutting surface 57 is inclined in a manner of ascending and descending toward the rear. The inclination angle of the second abutting surface 57 relative to the front-to-back direction is greater than the inclination angle of the first abutting surface 52 relative to the front-to-back direction. The inclination angle of the second abutting surface 57 relative to the front-to-back direction (horizontal direction) is close to a right angle. Here, the inclination angle of the second abutting surface 57 relative to the front-to-back direction refers to the angle of the acute angle formed by a straight line parallel to the front-to-back direction and the second abutting surface 57. The inclination angle of the first abutting surface 52 relative to the front-to-back direction also refers to the angle of the acute angle formed by a straight line parallel to the front-to-back direction and the second abutting surface 57.

[0030] The rear upper surface 56 is connected to the protrusion 55 at the rear. The rear upper surface 56 is a flat surface along the front-rear direction when the lock arm 24 is not elastically deformed.

[0031] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the first terminal 21 is a female terminal. The first terminal 21 is formed integrally by stamping a conductive metal plate into a predetermined shape and then bending the conductive metal plate. Figure 5As shown, the first terminal 21 has a main body 61, an elastic contact piece 62 and a crimping portion 63. The main body 61 is in the shape of a square tube. The main body 61 is inserted into the second terminal 71. The elastic contact piece 62 is arranged in the main body 61. The elastic contact piece 62 extends backward from the front end of the main body 61. The crimping portion 63 is fixedly mounted on the front end of the wire 26.

[0032] (Second connector 30) like Figure 2 As shown, the second connector 30 is a male connector. The second connector 30 is mounted on a circuit board 31 (see Figure 5 ) functions as a substrate connector on the second connector 30. The second connector 30 includes a second terminal 71 and a second housing 72.

[0033] The second housing 72 is a male housing. The second housing 72 is made of synthetic resin. The second housing 72 holds the second terminal 71. Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the second housing 72 is a single component having a flat shape. The second housing 72 includes a terminal holding portion 73 and a cover portion 74. The terminal holding portion 73 is wall-shaped. Figure 5 As shown, the terminal holding portion 73 holds a plurality of second terminals 71. The cover portion 74 protrudes from the outer peripheral edge of the terminal holding portion 73 toward the rear (toward the first connector 20) in a flat square tube shape.

[0034] like Figure 4 As shown, a lock portion 76 is provided on the inner surface (lower surface) of the upper wall portion 75 constituting the cover portion 74. The lock arm 24 of the first housing 22 is locked to the lock portion 76. The lock portion 76 protrudes downward from the inner surface of the upper wall portion 75. The lock portion 76 is rectangular when viewed from below.

[0035] like Figure 6 As shown, the lower surface 77 of the lock portion 76 is a flat surface along the front-rear direction. The rear surface 78 of the lock portion 76 is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction so as to rise and slope rearward.

[0036] The second terminal 71 is formed by punching a plate and then bending it into a rod shape. The second terminal 71 has a terminal connection portion 81 and a substrate connection portion 82. The terminal connection portion 81 extends in the front-to-back direction. Figure 5 As shown, the terminal connection portion 81 is pressed into the terminal holding portion 73. The protrusion at the front end of the terminal connection portion 81 is arranged in the cover portion 74. The substrate connection portion 82 is bent into an L shape. The substrate connection portion 82 is outside the second housing 72 (cover portion 74) and extends downward from the base end of the terminal connection portion 81. The substrate connection portion 82 is connected to the circuit substrate 31.

[0037] (Mating of two connectors 20, 30) When the first connector 20 and the second connector 30 are to be mated, the first housing 22 is inserted into the cover portion 74 of the second housing 72. Figure 5 As shown, the locking portion 76 contacts the first abutting surface 52 at the contact start position. When the locking portion 76 is at the contact start position, the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 71 are in a non-contact state. Specifically, the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 71 do not enter the through hole 28 of the front wall 27 and are separated from each other.

[0038] As the first connector 20 and the second connector 30 are further engaged, the locking portion 76 slides on the sliding portion 54 of the first abutting surface 52. Since the sliding portion 54 is inclined upwardly and rearwardly, as the engagement of the first connector 20 and the second connector 30 progresses, the locking arm 24 elastically deforms so as to approach the outer wall surface 29 of the first housing 22. While the lower surface of the locking portion 76 slides on the sliding portion 54, the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 71 are still in a non-contact state.

[0039] If the first connector 20 and the second connector 30 are further engaged, the locking portion 76 contacts the straight surface 53. If the first connector 20 and the second connector 30 are further engaged, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown, the locking portion 76 contacts the second abutment surface 57. When the locking portion 76 passes through the protrusion 55 of the locking arm 24, it enters the regular fitting state in one go by virtue of elasticity (see Figure 7 The second abutting surface 57 has a greater inclination angle than the first abutting surface 52, so that when the locking portion 76 passes through the second abutting surface 57, it is easy to enter the regular fitting state in one go (see Figure 7 ) without stopping the chimera.

[0040] like Figure 7 As shown, when the protrusion 55 of the lock arm 24 is locked to the lock portion 76, the first connector 20 and the second connector 30 are maintained in the mating state, and are in the normal mating state.

[0041] (Effects of Connector Device 10 of Embodiment 1) In the connector device 10 of the first embodiment, during the mating process of the first connector 20 and the second connector 30, when the locking portion 76 contacts the first abutting surface 52 at the contact start position, the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 71 are in a non-contact state. Therefore, when the locking portion 76 contacts the first abutting surface 52 at the contact start position, the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 71 are not conductive, and the semi-mated state of the first connector 20 and the second connector 30 can be grasped by the conductive check. In addition, since the sliding portion 54 of the first abutting surface 52 is inclined relative to the front-to-back direction, the force required for the mating operation can be reduced by bending the locking arm 24 at a relatively early stage of the mating process. In addition, the locking arm 24 has a second abutting surface 57 whose inclination angle relative to the front-to-back direction is larger than that of the first abutting surface 52. Therefore, when the locking portion 76 passes through the second abutment surface 57, the mating is not stopped halfway and the mating is easily completed in one go, making it easy to complete the mating of the first connector 20 and the second connector 30. In particular, the second abutment surface 57 is located farther from the flexure support portion 41 than the first abutment surface 52, and is easily displaced when passing through the second abutment surface 57, which makes it easy to reduce the insertion force. Therefore, the connector device 10 can prevent the first connector 20 and the second connector 30 from being placed in a semi-mated state.

[0042] In the connector device 10 of the first embodiment, the lock arm 24 has a straight surface 53 along the front-rear direction between the first abutting surface 52 and the second abutting surface 57. With this configuration, when the lock portion 76 contacts the straight surface 53, the degree of elastic deformation of the lock arm 24 can be mitigated. Therefore, the lock portion 76 is more likely to face the second abutting surface 57 located behind the straight surface 53, and when the two connectors 20 and 30 are mated and pushed, the lock portion 76 is more likely to touch the second abutting surface 57 and press the second abutting surface 57.

[0043] In the connector device 10 of the first embodiment, the first housing 22 has a front wall 27 that can stop the first terminal 21. When the locking portion 76 contacts the first abutting surface 52 at the contact start position, the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 71 are separated and arranged across the through hole 28 of the front wall 27. With this configuration, when the locking portion 76 contacts the first abutting surface 52 at the contact start position, the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 71 can be reliably separated.

[0044] In the connector device 10 of the first embodiment, the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 71 are in a non-contact state while the locking portion 76 slides on the sliding portion 54. With this configuration, the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 71 can be brought into contact in a state closer to the completion of the mating during the mating process of the first connector 20 and the second connector 30. Therefore, it is easier to prevent the connector device 10 in a semi-mated state from being misjudged as a regular mated state based on the continuity check of the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 71.

[0045] [Other embodiments] The present invention is not limited to the first embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, but is represented by the claims. The present invention is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims that are equivalent to the claims, and is intended to include the following embodiments. In the first embodiment described above, the inclination angle of the second contact surface 57 with respect to the front-rear direction is close to a right angle, but it may be a right angle. In the first embodiment, the terminal accommodating chambers 25 of the first housing 22 are divided into two upper and lower rows, but may be divided into one row or three or more upper and lower rows. In the first embodiment, the first connector 20 is a female connector and the second connector 30 is a male connector. However, the first connector 20 may be a male connector and the second connector 30 may be a female connector. Description of Reference Numerals

[0046] 10: Connector device 20: 1st connector 21: Terminal 1 22: Shell No. 1 23: Shell body 24: Locking arm 25: Terminal storage room 26: Wires 27: Anterior wall 28: Through hole 29: Outer wall surface 30: 2nd connector 31: Circuit board 41: Flexure fulcrum 42: Arm body 43: Operation Department 51: Front upper surface 52: First contact surface 53: Face straight 54: Sliding area 55: protrusion 56: Rear upper surface 57: Second contact surface 61: Main body 62: Elastic contact piece 63: Crimping part 71: Second terminal 72: Second Shell 73: Terminal holding portion 74: Hood 75: Upper wall 76: Locking part 77: Lower surface 78: Rear surface 81: Terminal connection part 82: Substrate connection part

Claims

1. A connector device, comprising a first connector and a second connector that can be mated with each other, The first connector includes a first terminal, a first housing for accommodating the first terminal, and a locking arm formed on the first housing and capable of elastic deformation. The second connector includes a second terminal, a second housing for accommodating the second terminal, and a locking portion formed in the second housing and locked with the locking arm. The lock arm extends along the mating direction of the first connector and the second connector, that is, the front-rear direction, and has a flexure fulcrum portion connected to the first housing at the front end portion. In a state where the locking arm is locked to the locking portion, the first terminal and the second terminal are in contact with each other, and the first connector and the second connector are maintained in a mating state. The lock arm has a first contact surface at a position where it can contact the lock portion during the mating process of the first connector and the second connector. The first contact surface includes a sliding portion extending rearward from a contact start position where the locking portion starts to contact the first contact surface, and the locking portion contacts and slides on the sliding portion. The sliding portion is inclined relative to the front-rear direction, During the mating process of the first connector and the second connector, when the locking portion contacts the first abutting surface at the contact start position, the first terminal and the second terminal are in a non-contact state. The locking arm includes a second contact surface capable of contacting the locking portion. The second contact surface is formed behind the first contact surface, and has an inclination angle with respect to the front-rear direction that is greater than an inclination angle of the first contact surface with respect to the front-rear direction.

2. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein: The lock arm includes a straight surface along the front-rear direction between the first contact surface and the second contact surface.

3. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein: The first terminal is a female terminal, The second terminal is a male terminal, The first housing has a front wall capable of stopping the first terminal. The front wall is provided with a through hole for inserting the second terminal. When the locking portion contacts the first contact surface at the contact start position, the first terminal and the second terminal are spaced apart from each other via the through hole of the front wall.

4. The connector device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: While the locking portion slides on the sliding portion, the first terminal and the second terminal are in a non-contact state.

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