Connector

Abstract

The invention provides a connector capable of improving strength. A connector (1) is provided with: a housing (2) configured so as to be connectable to a mating connector (10) and forming an assembly space (22) along a connection direction (X); and a position assurance member (3) which is inserted into an assembly space formed between two side walls (23) extending in the connection direction (X), and which is assembled to the housing (2) so as to be movable along the connection direction (X) from a temporary locking position to a formal locking position, the housing having a locking member (24), and the position assurance member (3) being inserted into the assembly space, the position assurance member (3) being assembled to the housing (2) so as to be movable along the connection direction (X) from the temporary locking position to the formal locking position. The locking member engages with a position assurance member (3) assembled in the assembly space and locks the position assurance member (3) at a main locking position, the locking member has an erection portion (244) erected between the two side walls, and the erection portion is configured so as to be connected to the two side walls, respectively, and to be connected to a column portion (25) extending from a bottom plate portion (221) of the assembly space to be supported at three points.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Conventionally, as a connector, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, there is known a connector that is connected to a mating connector and has a connector position securing function. This connector includes a position securing component that secures the mating state with the mating connector. The position securing component is mounted on the connector housing and is positioned in a standby position. After the connector and the mating connector are mated, the position securing component moves in the mating direction, from the standby position to a mating lock position. If the position securing component can move to the mating lock position, the connector and the mating connector can be properly mated.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-157454 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] The above-mentioned connector has a portion where the housing and the position ensuring member engage, and the mechanical strength of this engaging portion may be lower than that of other portions. Therefore, it is desired to develop a connector with improved strength.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector having improved strength.

[0009] Technical means to solve the problem

[0010] That is, the connector involved in the present invention is constructed to include: a shell, which is constructed to be able to be connected to the other connector and has an assembly space formed along the connection direction; and a position ensuring component, which is inserted into the assembly space and assembled to the shell in a manner that can be moved from a temporary locking position to a formal locking position along the connection direction, the assembly space is formed between two side walls, the two side walls are formed on the shell and extend in the connection direction, the shell has a locking component, the locking component is engaged with the position ensuring component assembled in the assembly space and locks the position ensuring component in the formal locking position, the locking component has a mounting portion, the mounting portion is mounted between the two side walls, the mounting portion is connected to the two side walls respectively, and is connected to a column portion extending from the bottom plate portion of the assembly space and is supported at three points.

[0011] Effects of the Invention

[0012] According to the connector of the present invention, it is possible to improve strength. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 It is an exploded perspective view of the connector according to the embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 It is a perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment.

[0015] Figure 3 It is a plan view of the connector according to the embodiment in an exploded state.

[0016] Figure 4 It is a perspective view of a housing in the connector according to the embodiment.

[0017] Figure 5 It is an explanatory diagram of a fully locked state of the position ensuring member in the connector according to the embodiment.

[0018] Figure 6 It is an explanatory diagram of connection in the connector according to the embodiment.

[0019] Figure 7 It is an explanatory diagram of the mechanical strength of the connector according to the embodiment.

[0020] Description of Reference Numerals

[0021] 1: Connector

[0022] 2: Shell

[0023] 2A: Mating surface

[0024] 3: Position guarantee components

[0025] 10: Other connector

[0026] 22: Assembly Space

[0027] 23: Sidewall

[0028] 24: Locking parts

[0029] 25: Column

[0030] 221: Bottom plate

[0031] 244: Erection Department

[0032] 244A: concave part

[0033] X: Connection direction DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings. In addition, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. In addition, the constituent elements in the following embodiments include elements that can be easily replaced by those skilled in the art, or substantially the same elements.

[0035] [Example]

[0036] This embodiment relates to a connector. In the following description, the first direction among the mutually intersecting first direction, second direction and third direction is referred to as the "connection direction X", the second direction is referred to as the "width direction Y", and the third direction is referred to as the "height direction Z". Here, the connection direction X, the width direction Y and the height direction Z are orthogonal to each other. The connection direction X is equivalent to the connection direction or the fitting direction between the connector and the other connector. The width direction Y is equivalent to the width direction of the connector. The width direction Y and the height direction Z are equivalent to orthogonal directions orthogonal to the connection direction X. In addition, unless otherwise specified, the directions used in the following description represent the directions in the state where the parts are assembled to each other. In addition, the orthogonal mentioned here includes approximately orthogonal.

[0037] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the connector 1 according to this embodiment is a connector for use in connection with a mating connector 10 and has a CPA (Connector Position Assurance) function. The connector 1 includes a housing 2 and a position assurance member 3 . Figure 1 The figure shows a state in which the connector 1 is separated from the mating connector 10 and the housing 2 is separated from the position ensuring component 3. The housing 2 is a component that is engaged with the mating connector 10 and is formed in a block shape, for example. The housing 2 is made of resin, for example, and is formed by resin molding. The housing 2 is formed with a setting hole 21 for arranging a terminal. The setting hole 21 is formed along the connection direction X of the connection with the mating connector 10. There are multiple setting holes 21, for example, multiple holes are arranged along the width direction Y. The setting hole 21 is formed to pass through the housing 2 in the connection direction X, so that the terminal of the terminal-equipped electric wire (not shown) can be inserted and retained.

[0038] The housing 2 has an assembly space 22 formed above the area where the installation hole 21 is formed. The assembly space 22 is a space for inserting and assembling the position assurance component 3. For example, it is formed between two side walls 23 spaced apart in the width direction Y of the housing 2. The side walls 23 are walls provided at the ends of the housing 2 in the width direction Y and extend in the height direction Z and the connection direction X. Specifically, the two side walls 23 separate the two sides of the assembly space 22, thereby defining the assembly space 22.

[0039] A guide portion 222 is formed in the assembly space 22. The guide portion 222 is formed along the connection direction X at the lower end of the assembly space 22. For example, the guide portion 222 is formed to protrude from the inner surface of the side wall 23 in the width direction Y. The guide portion 222 guides the position ensuring component 3 along the connection direction X when the position ensuring component 3 is assembled. In addition, the guide portion 222 functions as a stopper when the position ensuring component 3 is assembled. For example, the end surface 222A on the side opposite to the mating surface 2A in the guide portion 222 abuts against the position ensuring component 3 when the position ensuring component 3 is assembled, so that the position ensuring component 3 is configured in the formal locking position. The mating surface 2A is the end surface of the shell 2 in the connection direction X, and is the surface facing the counterpart connector 10 when the shell 2 is mated with the counterpart connector 10.

[0040] The housing 2 is provided with a locking member 24. The locking member 24 is a member that locks the housing 2 relative to the mating connector 10 when the connector 1 is connected to the mating connector 10 and engages with the position securing member 3. The locking member 24 is provided, for example, in the assembly space 22 and is arranged along the connection direction X.

[0041] The locking component 24 includes a locked portion 241, a pressing portion 242, an arm portion 243, and a mounting portion 244. The locked portion 241 is a portion that engages with the locking portion 121 of the other connector 10 and the locking portion 331 of the position ensuring component 3. The pressing portion 242 is a portion that is pressed to release the engagement between the locked portion 241 and the locking portion 121, thereby releasing the locked state between the other connector 10 and the housing 2. The locked portion 241, the pressing portion 242, and the mounting portion 244 extend in the width direction Y that intersects the connection direction X, for example, and are respectively connected to the two arm portions 243. The two arm portions 243 are separately arranged in the width direction Y and extend in the connection direction X. The engaged portion 241 , the pressing portion 242 , and the bridging portion 244 are bridged between the two arm portions 243 , and are arranged in the order of the bridging portion 244 , the engaged portion 241 , and the pressing portion 242 from the fitting surface 2A side.

[0042] The latched portion 241 is, for example, provided between the opposing surfaces 243A of the two arm portions 243. The pressing portion 242 is provided to protrude upward in the height direction Z compared to the latched portion 241, for example, connected to the upper surfaces 243B of the two arm portions 243. The mounting portion 244 is connected to the end portions on the mating surface 2A side of the two arm portions 243. The mounting portion 244 is formed to be longer than the distance between the two arm portions 243, and the ends on both sides are respectively connected to the side walls 23. A column portion 25 is connected to the center position of the mounting portion 244 in the width direction Y. The column portion 25 is a component extending along the height direction Z, and is provided between the mounting portion 244 and the bottom plate portion 221 of the assembly space 22. The column portion 25 supports the mounting portion 244 from below. That is, the latching component 24 is supported by three points on the mating surface 2A side, thereby improving strength. Specifically, the locking member 24 is supported by the two side walls 23 and the column 25 via the mounting portion 244 on the mating surface 2A side, resulting in a structure that is resistant to damage even when subjected to external forces. For example, if the mounting portion 244 were supported at two points by the two side walls 23, the mounting portion 244 would be easily flexed in the height direction Z, reducing its resistance to external forces. In contrast, the connector 1 of this embodiment is supported at three points by the locking member 24, thereby achieving increased strength and improving its resistance to external forces.

[0043] The ends of the two arms 243 on the side opposite to the mating surface 2A are connected to the side wall 23. That is, the locking member 24 is supported on both the mating surface 2A side and the side opposite to the mating surface 2A. Therefore, the locking member 24 achieves improved strength compared to a cantilever structure.

[0044] A recess 244A is formed in the mounting portion 244. The recess 244A is formed by making the surface of the mounting portion 244 that faces the other connector 10 concave along the connection direction X. For example, the recess 244A is formed by making the entire mounting portion 244 concave in the connection direction X. Here, the entirety includes the substantially entirety. The mounting portion 244 of the locking component 24 has a structure that is not easily affected by external forces by forming the recess 244A. For example, even if the connector 1 falls to the floor, the mounting portion 244 is not likely to directly abut against the floor surface, and the locking component 24 is not likely to be affected by impacts.

[0045] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the position ensuring component 3 is configured such that a guide arm 32 and a locking arm 33 protrude from a base 31 in the connection direction X. The base 31 is a plate-shaped portion that rises upward and is positioned in a direction intersecting the connection direction X. Two guide arms 32 are provided, extending from opposite ends of the base 31 in the width direction Y in the connection direction X. When the position ensuring component 3 is assembled into the assembly space 22 of the housing 2, the guide arms 32 are inserted along the guide portions 222.

[0046] The locking arm 33 is provided protruding in the connection direction X between the two guide arms 32. The locking arm 33 is an engaging portion that engages with the housing 2. When the position ensuring component 3 is assembled in the assembly space 22, the locking arm 33 is inserted between the two arm portions 243. A locking portion 331 is formed on the locking arm 33. The locking portion 331 is a portion that engages with the locked portion 241 of the locking component 24 of the housing 2. When the position ensuring component 3 is inserted into the temporary locking position (standby position) relative to the housing 2, the locking portion 331 is positioned just in front of the locked portion 241. When the connector 1 and the mating connector 10 are properly connected, the position ensuring component 3 can be inserted into the formal locking position relative to the housing 2, and it can be confirmed that the connector 1 and the mating connector 10 are properly connected. At this time, due to the insertion of the position ensuring component 3, the locking portion 331 can pass below the locked portion 241 and move relative to the locked portion 241 toward the mating surface 2A of the housing 2. On the other hand, if the connector 1 is not properly connected to the mating connector 10, the position ensuring member 3 cannot be inserted to the final locking position relative to the housing 2. In other words, the locking portion 331 cannot pass under the locked portion 241 and move toward the mating surface 2A of the locked portion 241.

[0047] like Figure 1 As shown, the mating connector 10 is cylindrical, with its facing surface 11 open, allowing the connector 1 to be inserted into the internal space 12. A locking portion (not shown) is formed on the top surface of the internal space 12. The locking portion is a protrusion that engages with the locked portion 241 of the locking member 24. The locked portion 241 is locked to the locking portion, thereby preventing the connector 1 from being separated from the mating connector 10. A plurality of terminals (not shown) are provided in the internal space 12.

[0048] like Figure 4 As shown, the locking part 24 of the housing 2 is formed with a protrusion 27 protruding downward from the arm part 243. In addition, a protrusion 28 is formed protruding from the bottom plate part 221 of the assembly space 22. The protrusion 27 and the protrusion 28 are respectively parts that engage with the position ensuring part 3. When the housing 2 is resin-molded, the connection direction X becomes the direction of mold opening. In this case, if the protrusion 27 and the protrusion 28 are to be formed, it is necessary to form a hole 26 on the side of the fitting surface 2A of the assembly space 22 in order to remove the mold. It is also considered to make the part on the side of the fitting surface 2A between the locking part 24 and the bottom plate part 221 completely open, but the supporting strength of the locking part 24 may be reduced. Therefore, in the connector 1 involved in this embodiment, the supporting strength of the locking part 24 is improved by providing a column part 25 to support the locking part 24.

[0049] like Figure 5As shown, the position ensuring component 3 is assembled in the housing 2 and positioned in the formal locking position. At this point, the position ensuring component 3 is separated from the locking component 24 and abuts against the end surface 222A of the guide portion 222. That is, the position ensuring component 3 is inserted from the temporary locking position to the formal locking position in the assembly space 22, but the abutting surface 311 of the base 31 abuts against the guide portion 222, positioning it in the formal locking position. At this point, the position ensuring component 3 is separated from the locking component 24, forming a gap G between them.

[0050] Next, the mechanical strength of the connector 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0051] like Figure 6 As shown, the connector 1 is connected to the mating connector 10 by assembling the position securing member 3 with respect to the housing 2. The position securing member 3 is inserted to a temporary locking position with respect to the housing 2. Wires (not shown) are connected between the connector 1 and the mating connector 10.

[0052] At this time, if Figure 7 As shown, there is a situation where the connector 1 hits an external object. For example, consider the situation where the connector 1 is accidentally dropped and collides with the ground 80. In the case where the connector 1 falls with the mating surface 2A facing downward, the mating surface 2A collides with the ground 80. In this case, the connector 1 is impacted by falling, but a large impact on the locking part 24 can be suppressed. That is, a recess 244A is formed in the mounting portion 244 of the locking part 24, and the locking part 24 is recessed from the mating surface 2A. Therefore, the connector 1 involved in this embodiment can suppress the direct contact between the locking part 24 and the ground 80, and can reduce the impact received from the ground 80.

[0053] Furthermore, the locking member 24 is supported at three points within the housing 2, enhancing its mechanical strength. Specifically, the mounting portion 244 of the locking member 24 is connected to the sidewalls 23 on both sides and to the column portion 25 extending from the bottom plate 221 of the assembly space 22. Consequently, the mounting portion 244 is difficult to move in the width direction Y and the height direction Z, making it less likely to deform in the event of an impact. Consequently, the connector 1 of this embodiment can prevent damage to the locking member 24 even in the event of an impact from the ground 80.

[0054] In addition, if Figure 5As shown, in the connector 1, when the position ensuring component 3 is assembled to the shell 2 and configured in the formal locking position, the position ensuring component 3 abuts against the guide portion 222 of the assembly space 22. At this time, a gap G is formed between the position ensuring component 3 and the locking component 24, and the position ensuring component 3 is separated from the locking component 24. Therefore, even when the connector 1 is in contact with an external object, it is possible to suppress the direct impact on the locking component 24. That is, even if the position ensuring component 3 of the connector 1 is in contact with an external object, the impact will be transmitted to the guide portion 222 of the shell 2, and the impact will be difficult to be transmitted to the locking component 24. The connector involved in this embodiment can suppress the application of external force from the locking component 24, thereby improving the resistance to external force.

[0055] As described above, the connector 1 according to this embodiment improves the mechanical strength of the housing 2 by supporting the locking member 24 at three points within the housing 2. Specifically, the locking member 24 is mounted on both side walls 23 within the housing 2 and is supported at three points by being connected to the side walls 23 and the column 25. Consequently, the connector 1 according to this embodiment can securely support the locking member 24, achieving improved mechanical strength.

[0056] Furthermore, the connector 1 according to this embodiment forms the recess 244A in the mounting portion 244 of the locking member 24, thereby suppressing external force from being directly applied to the locking member 24. Thus, the connector 1 according to this embodiment can reduce the impact applied to the locking member 24.

[0057] Furthermore, in the connector 1 according to this embodiment, the position ensuring member 3 is separated from the locking member 24 in the fully locked position and abuts against the guide portion 222. Therefore, when an external force is applied to the position ensuring member 3, the connector 1 according to this embodiment can suppress the external force from being transmitted to the locking member 24 via the position ensuring member 3. Consequently, the connector 1 according to this embodiment can achieve improved mechanical strength.

[0058] Furthermore, the connector according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. The connector according to this embodiment can also be configured by appropriately combining the components of the above-described embodiments and modifications.

[0059] For example, in the above embodiment, the recess 244A is formed in the mounting portion 244, but there is also a case where the recess 244A is not formed in the mounting portion 244. Even in this case, the strength of the connector 1 can be improved by supporting the locking member 24 at three points.

Claims

1. A connector, characterized in that: have: a housing configured to be connectable to a mating connector and having an assembly space formed along a connecting direction; and a position securing member, the position securing member being inserted into the assembly space and being assembled to the housing in a manner movable from a temporary locking position to a formal locking position along the connection direction; The assembly space is formed between two side walls, and the two side walls are formed on the housing and extend in the connection direction. The housing includes a locking member that engages with the position securing member assembled in the assembly space and locks the position securing member at the formal locking position. The locking member has a mounting portion, and the mounting portion is mounted between the two side walls. The mounting portion is connected to each of the two side walls and is connected to a column portion extending from a bottom plate portion of the assembly space to be supported at three points.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The bridging portion is provided on a fitting surface side of the housing facing the mating connector, and has a recessed portion formed by recessing the surface facing the mating connector along the connecting direction.

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