CONNECTOR LOCKING STRUCTURE

Abstract

A connector locking structure comprising: a locking arm (21) extending from a front end to a rear end in a connection direction and formed on a side wall (10a) of a connector housing (10), wherein the locking arm (21) is configured to maintain a connected state by elastically engaging a mating connector housing (40); a pair of plate-shaped support walls (17, 19) provided on a rear section of the side wall (10a) to project from the side wall (10a), wherein the pair of plate-shaped support walls (17, 19) encloses a rear section of the locking arm (21) between them; a connecting section (15) that connects the upper ends of the pair of plate-shaped support walls (17, 19) in a lateral direction to cross the rear section of the locking arm (21); and a locking actuation chamber (16) with a cut formed at a rear end of the connecting section (15), wherein a rear end (19a) of one (19) of the pair of plate-shaped support walls (17, 19) is arranged closer to the front end of the locking arm (21) than the rear end (21a) of the locking arm (21) in the connection direction, characterized by that the length of one retaining wall (17) of the pair of plate-shaped retaining walls (17, 19) is shorter in the direction of connection than that of the other retaining wall (19) of the pair of plate-shaped retaining walls (17, 19).

Description

AREA

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector locking structure having the features of the preamble of claim 1. BACKGROUND

[0002] An example of a connector locking structure allows a connector housing and a mating connector housing to be held in a connected state (see, for example, JP 2006-216322 A).

[0003] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, the connector locking structure disclosed in JP 2006-216322 A comprises a locking arm 515 provided on an upper surface of a receiving housing 510 and having a locking projection 515A, protective walls 516 provided on both sides of the locking arm 515, and an anti-reversion wall (connecting section) 518 that prevents the locking arm 515 from moving upwards and crossing an actuating section 515F of the locking arm 515.

[0004] The anti-reversion wall 518 is connected to an upper surface of the receiving housing 510 by a support wall 518A. The anti-reversion wall 518 is formed with a finger passage hole (locking actuation chamber) 518B, which is open at a rear end so that the finger can press on the actuation section 515F.

[0005] A connector locking structure mentioned at the beginning is known from US 2019 / 0199036 A1. SUMMARY

[0006] In the connector locking structure described above, however, if a width dimension of the receiving housing 510 is reduced due to miniaturization of the connector, the gap between the support walls 518A on both sides, which support the anti-reversion wall 518, narrows. Furthermore, when the gap between the support walls 518A on both sides is narrowed, the width of the finger passage hole 518B, which is open at the rear end of the anti-reversion wall 518, also narrows. Consequently, in the miniaturized connector, the finger may collide with the support walls 518A on both sides during the unlocking process, which can make it difficult to press the finger against the actuating section 515F. Therefore, the prior art structure can lead to a reduction in unlocking performance.

[0007] The disclosure was made in view of the above circumstances, and one of its aims is to provide a locking structure of a compact connector that is capable of ensuring operational capability at the time of the unlocking process while also protecting a locking arm.

[0008] The present disclosure provides a connector locking structure having the features of claim 1.

[0009] According to the connector locking structure as disclosed, it is possible to provide a locking structure of a compact connector that is able to ensure usability at the time of the unlocking process while protecting the locking arm.

[0010] The disclosure is briefly described above. The details of the disclosure are further clarified by reading the description of the embodiment (hereinafter referred to as the "embodiment"), which is described below with reference to the associated drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a connected state of a connector housing and a mating connector housing forming a connector locking structure according to an embodiment of the disclosure; Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B are a top view and a side view of the [unclear text] Fig. 1 connector housing and mating connector housing shown; Fig. 3A is a perspective view of the in Fig. 1 connector housing shown, seen from a front view, and Fig. 3B is a perspective view before the insertion of a connecting contact into the Fig. 1 connector housing shown; Fig. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along line IV-IV in Fig. 3B; Fig. 5 is a top view of the in Fig. 3A connector housing shown; Fig. Figure 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the in Fig. 1 connector housing and mating connector housing shown; Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B are explanatory views to illustrate an unlocking process of the in Fig. 6 connector housing shown; and Fig. Figure 8 is a top view of a state-of-the-art connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] An embodiment according to the disclosure is described below with reference to the drawings.

[0012] Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a connected state of a connector housing 10 and a mating connector housing 40 forming a connector locking structure according to the embodiment of the disclosure. Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B are a top view and a side view of the [unclear text] Fig. 1 connector housing 10 and mating connector housing 40.

[0013] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the connector locking structure according to the embodiment comprises the connector housing 10 and the mating connector housing 40. The connector housing 10 is a socket housing in which a female terminal contact 31 is accommodated in a terminal contact receptacle 12. The mating connector housing 40 is a plug housing in which a male terminal contact (not shown) is arranged in a connector terminal section 41. In the following description, one side (left side in Figure 2) is described. Fig. 2), which is inserted into the mating connector housing 40, a front side of the connector housing 10.

[0014] The connector locking structure according to the embodiment comprises a locking arm 21 formed on an upper wall (side wall) 10a of the connector housing 10, a pair of plate-shaped support walls 17 and 19 provided on a rear section of the upper wall 10a to project from the upper wall 10a in order to accommodate a rear section of the locking arm 21 between them, and a connecting section 15 connecting the upper ends of the pair of plate-shaped support walls 17 and 19 in a lateral direction (upward-downward direction). Fig. 2A) connects, in order to cross a rear section of the locking arm 21, a locking actuation chamber 16 with a notch formed at a rear end of the connecting section 15 so that an actuator, such as a finger, can push a rear section of the locking arm 21, and a rear end 19a of a plate-shaped support wall 19, which is positioned such that, in a principal configuration, it is located in a connecting direction closer to a front than a rear end 21a of the locking arm 21.

[0015] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the mating connector housing 40 of the embodiment is designed as a molded part made of synthetic resin and has a rectangular, tubular connector connection section 41. A connecting section 11 of the connector housing 10, which is described below, is inserted into the connector connection section 41 and brought into a substantially closed contact state. A flat terminal contact section of a male terminal contact projects from a rear wall of the connector connection section 41 in the direction of an open end.

[0016] A locking section 43 with a notch is arranged on an upper wall of the connector connection section 41. The locking claw (locking projection) 25 of the locking arm 21, which is described below, is locked to the locking section 43.

[0017] Fig. 3A is a perspective view of the in Fig. 1 connector housing 10 shown from a front view and Fig. 3B is a perspective view before the insertion of a female connection contact 31 into the in Fig. 1 connector housing shown 10. Fig. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along line IV-IV in Fig. 3B. Fig. 5 is a top view of the in Fig. 3A Connector housing shown 10.

[0018] As in the Fig. As shown in Figures 3A to 5, the connector housing 10 of this embodiment is formed as a molded part made of synthetic resin and has an overall essentially rectangular, tubular shape. A front half of the connector housing 10 is the connecting section 11, which can be inserted into the connector connection section 41 of the mating connector housing 40. The interior of the connector housing 10, including the connecting section 11, is the contact receiving chamber 12 of the female connection contact 31, which receives a male connection contact of the mating connector housing 40 via a front opening 12a.

[0019] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, a cantilevered lance 13 is arranged to hold the female terminal contact 31 in the terminal contact receiving space 12, and the female terminal contact 31, which is inserted from a rear opening 12b of the connector housing 10, is held by the lance 13.

[0020] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3B, the female terminal contact 31 has, for example, a pair of elastic coiled sections 32, which serve as electrical contact sections at one tip in an insertion direction. The elastic coiled sections 32 are formed on both sides of a carrier section by being bent inwards in a substantially mountain-shaped cross-section. A wire crimp section 35 is provided at the terminal of the female terminal contact 31 behind the elastic coiled section 32. This crimp section 35 contains a conductor crimp section 33 for crimping the conductor of an electrical wire 37 and a cover crimp section 34 for securing the electrical wire 37.

[0021] As in the Fig. 3A and Fig. As shown in 3B, the upper wall 10a of the connector housing 10 is formed with the locking arm 21, which maintains a connected state by elastically engaging with the mating connector housing 40.

[0022] The locking arm 21 comprises a cantilevered arm section 22, which extends rearward at intervals from a base end section 20, projecting from the upper wall 10a of the connector housing 10, to the upper wall 10a of the connector housing 10. A bending space (cavity) 30 is provided between the upper wall 10a of the connector housing 10 and a lower surface of the arm section 22, which allows bending deformation of the arm section 22 at the time of connection with the mating connector housing 40.

[0023] Therefore, a rear end section (free end section) of the locking arm 21 receives an actuating force and bends and deforms in a pressure direction (downwards into the Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B), and when the actuating force is released, an original cantilever shape is restored by its own restoring force. The locking arm 21 has the locking claw 25, which is locked to the locking section 43 of the mating connector housing 40, on an upper surface in a central section of the arm section 22. An upwardly projecting locking actuating section 23 is arranged on an upper surface of the rear end section of the arm section 22.

[0024] This means that the locking arm 21 maintains the connected state of the connector housing 10 and the mating connector housing 40 by locking the locking claw 25 with the locking section 43 of the mating connector housing 40. When the locking actuation section 23 on the locking arm 21 is pressed downwards by an actuator, e.g., a finger, the actuation force is exerted intensely on the locking actuation section 23, and thus the rear end section is bent and deformed downwards.

[0025] The pair of plate-shaped support walls 17 and 19 according to the present embodiment is designed to project upwards from a rear side of the upper wall 10a in order to enclose between them the rear end section of the locking arm 21, including the locking actuation section 23, in the lateral direction. The two plate-shaped support walls 17 and 19 are arranged parallel to a gap W1, which is a short distance from the two side faces of the locking arm 21.

[0026] As in Fig. Figure 5 shows that a plate-shaped support wall 19 is arranged such that, in the connection direction, the rear end 19a is located closer to a front face than the rear end 21a of the locking arm 21. That is, the other plate-shaped support wall 19 has a shorter length L2 in the connection direction compared to a length L1 in the connection direction of the other plate-shaped support wall 17, which is designed such that, in the connection direction, the rear end 17a is located closer to a rear face than the rear end 21a of the locking arm 21.

[0027] In the connecting section 15 of the embodiment, the upper ends of the pair of plate-shaped support walls 17 and 19 are connected in the width direction to cross the rear section of the locking arm 21. At the rear end of the connecting section 15, the locking actuation chamber 16 is designed such that a finger 50 can be pressed against the locking actuation section 23 of the locking arm 21.

[0028] The locking actuation chamber 16 of the embodiment is open, so that the entire upper surface of the locking actuation section 23 is exposed in a top view. The locking actuation chamber 16 is formed by cutting the connecting section 15 in which the upper ends of the pair of plate-shaped support walls 17 and 19, which have different lengths in the width direction, are joined. Therefore, the locking actuation chamber 16 has an opening space W2 that is wider than the gap W1 of the pair of plate-shaped support walls 17 and 19 on one side of the plate-shaped support wall 19, where the length L2 in the connection direction is shorter than the length L1 of the other plate-shaped support wall 17.

[0029] Next, an application of the configuration described above will be described.

[0030] Fig. Figure 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the connector housing 10 and the [unclear text]. Fig. 1 shown counterpart connector housing 40. Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B are explanatory views to illustrate an unlocking process of the in Fig. 6 connector housing shown 10.

[0031] According to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2A, Fig. 2B and Fig. In the embodiment of the connector locking structure shown in Figure 6, when an unwanted downward external force is exerted on the locking arm 21, for example, when an object strikes the locking arm 21, the external force is absorbed by the pair of plate-shaped support walls 17 and 19, which are designed to enclose the rear section of the locking arm 21. This prevents the locking arm from being bent by an external force. Therefore, the pair of plate-shaped support walls 17 and 19 prevents a situation from occurring in which an external force is exerted on the locking arm 21 of the connector housing 10 and the bending of the locking arm itself disengages it from the mating connector housing 40, thus further compromising the connected state.

[0032] If an unwanted external force acting from bottom to top is applied to the locking arm 21, for example, if a rear section of the locking arm 21 becomes trapped in an object, the external force is absorbed by the connecting section 15, which joins the upper ends of the pair of plate-shaped support walls 17 and 19 in the width direction. Therefore, the connecting section 15 prevents the locking arm 21 from being unintentionally folded upwards by an external force. Therefore, the connecting section 15 prevents the locking arm 21 of the connector housing 10 from being plastically deformed by an external force.

[0033] The rear end 19a of one plate-shaped support wall 19 is positioned such that it is closer to a front face than the rear end 21a of the locking arm 21 in the connection direction, and the length L2 in the connection direction is shorter than the length L1 in the connection direction of the other plate-shaped support wall 17, which is positioned such that the rear end 17a is closer to a rear face than the rear end 21a of the locking arm 21 in the connection direction. Therefore, as shown in the Fig. 7A and Fig.Figure 7B shows the locking actuation chamber 16, which has a cut formed at the rear end of the connecting section 15, and an opening chamber W2 extending on one side of the plate-shaped support wall 19. This makes it difficult for the finger 50 to encounter a plate-shaped support wall 19 during the unlocking process. In particular, even if a width dimension of the upper wall 10a of the connector housing 10 becomes smaller and the gap W1 between the pair of plate-shaped support walls 17 and 19 is narrowed, it is not difficult to press the finger 50 against the upper surface of the locking actuation section 23 at the rear section of the locking arm 21. This does not reduce the unlockability.

[0034] The rear end 17a of the other plate-shaped support wall 17 is positioned such that it is closer to the rear in the connection direction than the rear end 21a of the locking arm 21. This prevents any unwanted external downward force from being exerted on the locking arm 21.

[0035] Therefore, even with miniaturization of the connector housing 10, usability at the time of the unlocking process can be guaranteed.

[0036] According to the embodiment of the connector locking structure, the upper surface of the locking actuation section 23 is completely exposed from the locking actuation chamber 16 in the top view. Therefore, the finger 50 can easily press on the locking actuation section 23 during the unlocking process.

[0037] Therefore, according to the connector locking structure as described above, it is possible to provide a locking structure of a compact connector that is able to ensure usability at the time of the unlocking process while simultaneously protecting the locking arm 21.

[0038] The disclosure is not limited to the embodiment described above and may be suitably modified, improved, and the like. The material, shape, size, number, arrangement, and the like of the individual components in the embodiment described above are arbitrary and are not restricted as long as the disclosure can be achieved.

[0039] Here, the features of the embodiment of the connector locking structure described above, according to the disclosure, are briefly summarized and listed below as points [1] to [3]. [1] A connector locking structure comprising: a locking arm (21) extending from a front end to a rear end in a connection direction and formed on a side wall (top wall 10a) of a connector housing (10), wherein the locking arm (21) is configured to maintain a connected state by elastically engaging a mating connector housing (40); a pair of plate-shaped support walls (17, 19) arranged on a rear section of the side wall (top wall 10a) to project from the side wall (top wall 10a), the pair of plate-shaped support walls (17, 19) accommodating a rear section of the locking arm (21) between them; a connecting section (15) that connects the upper ends of the pair of plate-shaped support walls (17, 19) in a lateral direction to cross the rear section of the locking arm (21);and a locking actuation chamber (16) with a cut-out formed at a rear end of the connecting section (15), wherein a rear end (19a) of one (19) of the pair of plate-shaped support walls (17, 19) is arranged in the connection direction closer to the front end of the locking arm (21) than the rear end (21a) of the locking arm (21).; [2] The connector locking structure according to <1> , wherein the locking arm (21) has a locking actuation section (23) which is provided on and projects from an upper surface of the rear section of the locking arm (21), and wherein an upper surface of the locking actuation section (23) is completely exposed in a top view from the locking actuation space (16). [3] The connector locking structure according to < 1> or <2> , wherein the locking actuation chamber (23) is configured such that a finger (50) can press on the rear section of the locking arm (21).

[0040] According to the connector locking structure described in point [1], if an unwanted external force directed downwards is exerted on the locking arm, e.g., if an object strikes the locking arm, the external force is absorbed by the pair of plate-shaped support walls designed to accommodate the rear section of the locking arm. This prevents the locking arm from bending due to an external force. Therefore, the pair of plate-shaped support walls prevents a situation in which an external force is exerted on the locking arm of the connector housing and the bending of the locking arm itself disengages it from the mating connector housing, thus preventing any impairment of the connected state.

[0041] If an unwanted external force acting from bottom to top is applied to the locking arm, for example, if a rear section of the locking arm becomes trapped in an object, the external force is absorbed by the connecting section that joins the upper ends of the pair of plate-shaped support walls in the width direction. Therefore, the connecting section prevents the locking arm from being unintentionally folded upwards by an external force. Therefore, the connecting section prevents the locking arm of the connector housing from being plastically deformed by an external force.

[0042] The rear end of a plate-shaped support wall is located closer to the front end of the locking arm than the rear end of the locking arm in the direction of connection. One plate-shaped support wall may be shorter in the direction of connection than the other plate-shaped support wall, which is positioned such that, in the direction of connection, the rear end of the other plate-shaped support wall is farther from the front end of the locking arm than the rear end of the locking arm. Therefore, the locking actuation chamber, which has a cut formed at the rear end of the connecting section, has an opening that extends on one side of the plate-shaped support wall. This makes it difficult for the actuator to encounter a plate-shaped support wall during the unlocking process.In particular, even if one dimension of the connector housing's side wall is reduced and the gap between the pair of plate-shaped support walls is narrowed, it is not difficult to press the actuator against the upper part of the locking arm. This does not impair the unlocking capability. The rear end of the other plate-shaped support wall is positioned closer to the rear in the connection direction than the rear end of the locking arm. This prevents any unwanted external downward force from being exerted on the locking arm. Therefore, even with miniaturization of the connector housing, usability during the unlocking process is ensured.

[0043] According to the connector locking structure as described in point [2], the upper surface of the locking actuation section is completely exposed from the locking actuation chamber in plan view. Therefore, the actuator can easily press on the locking actuation section during the unlocking process.

[0044] According to the connector locking structure described in point [3], the locking actuation chamber is configured so that a finger can press on the rear section of the locking arm. Therefore, the locking actuation section can be easily pressed with a finger during the unlocking process.

Claims

[1] A connector locking structure comprising: a locking arm (21) extending from a front end to a rear end in a connection direction and formed on a side wall (10a) of a connector housing (10), wherein the locking arm (21) is configured to maintain a connected state by elastically engaging a mating connector housing (40); a pair of plate-shaped support walls (17, 19) provided on a rear section of the side wall (10a) to project from the side wall (10a), wherein the pair of plate-shaped support walls (17, 19) encloses a rear section of the locking arm (21) between them; a connecting section (15) that connects the upper ends of the pair of plate-shaped support walls (17, 19) in a lateral direction to cross the rear section of the locking arm (21); and a locking actuation chamber (16) with a cut formed at a rear end of the connecting section (15), wherein a rear end (19a) of one (19) of the pair of plate-shaped support walls (17, 19) is arranged closer to the front end of the locking arm (21) than the rear end (21a) of the locking arm (21) in the connection direction, characterized by , that the length of one retaining wall (17) of the pair of plate-shaped retaining walls (17, 19) is shorter in the direction of connection than that of the other retaining wall (19) of the pair of plate-shaped retaining walls (17, 19). [2] The connector locking structure according to claim 1, wherein the locking arm (21) comprises a locking actuation section (23) which is provided on and projects from an upper surface of the rear section of the locking arm (21), and wherein an upper surface of the locking actuation section (23) is completely exposed in a top view from the locking actuation space (16). [3] The connector locking structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking actuation space (23) is configured such that a finger (50) can press on the rear section of the locking arm (21).

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