Connector

Abstract

Connectors (10), comprising: a housing (20) which is to be connected to a matching housing (90) along a connection direction, wherein the connection direction corresponds to a forward direction of the connector (10); and a separate, connection-detecting element (60) to be slidably mounted on the housing (20) to ensure a connection between the housing (20) and the matching housing (90), where: the connection-detecting element (60) is displaceable relative to a connection-assurance position, where a connection assurance of the housing (20) and the matching housing (90) is established, and a connection-assurance release position, where the connection assurance is released. the connection-detecting element (60) can be mounted on the housing (20) by sliding and relocating it from a position prior to assembly, before assembly is carried out, to the connection-securing-release position when mounting the connection-detecting element (60) on the housing (20), a pair of flexible arm sections (74) is provided on both side parts of the connection-detecting link (60), the housing (20) is provided with a pair of side walls (42) in a direction which intersects a sliding direction of the connection detecting member (60), wherein the sliding direction corresponds to a forward-backward direction of the connector (10), a pair of first guide grooves (44) along the sliding direction of the connection-detecting member (60) and a pair of second guide grooves (48) parallel to the pair of first guide grooves (44) and arranged in front of the first guide grooves (44) in a sliding direction of the connection-detecting member (60) in the pair of side walls (42) are provided, Tip parts (76) of the pair of arm sections (74) are present in the pair of first guide grooves (44) at the connection securing position and the connection securing release position, and the tip parts (76) of the pair of arm sections (74) are present in the pair of second guide grooves (48) at the position prior to assembly, and the pair of arm sections (74) is deflected by a sliding of the connection-detecting link 60) and the connection-detecting link (60) is moved to the connection-assurance-release position when the connection-detecting link (60) is moved from the position before assembly to the connection-assurance-release position.

Description

Technical field

[0001] One technique revealed by this description relates to a connector. State of the art

[0002] A connector described in Japanese patent publication JP 2017-91761 A is known as an example of a conventional connector. This connector comprises a socket connector housing and a connection-detecting element, which is assembled with the connector housing. Here, the connection-detecting element is a functional element for implementing so-called CPA (connector position assurance) and is a element for detecting that the connector and a mating connector are fully connected, and is mounted in a retaining chamber of the connector housing.

[0003] A pair of guide wall sections is formed in the width direction of the retaining chamber of the connector housing, and each of the pair of guide wall sections is provided with a recess or indentation for guiding the connection-detecting member along a connection direction. The connection-detecting member is provided with a pair of protrusions that project outwards in the width direction, and the pair of protrusions is inserted into a pair of recesses provided in the pair of guide wall sections.

[0004] Furthermore, publication JP 2015-50103 A discloses a connector comprising: a connector housing into which a mating connector is inserted; a locking arm that flexibly deforms and projects from an outer surface of the connector housing and in which a locking element is flexibly deformed to engage a counter-locking element when the mating connector is fully inserted; a sensing element that allows movement from a home position to a sensing position when the mating connector is fully inserted and blocks movement from the home position to the sensing position with the locking element when the mating connector is half inserted; and a pair of protective walls that project from an outer surface of the connector housing and are arranged on both outer sides of the sensing element.The fitting detection element is provided in a sliding manner on the inner surfaces of the pair of protective walls. Summary of the invention: Technical problem

[0005] However, since the retaining chamber of the connector housing is not provided with a guide for inserting the connection-detecting element into the pair of recesses, it is difficult to align the pair of protrusions with the pair of recesses, and there is a problem that the assembly handling of the connection-detecting element with the connector housing is poor. Solution to the problem

[0006] A connector disclosed in this description is a connector with a housing that is to be connected to a matching housing along a connection direction, wherein the connection direction corresponds to a forward direction of the connector (10); and a separate connection-detecting element that is slidably mounted on the housing to ensure a connection between the housing and the matching housing, wherein the connection-detecting element is displaceable relative to a connection-ensuring position, where a connection between the housing and the matching housing is established, and a connection-ensuring release position.is displaceable where the connection locking mechanism is released; wherein the connection-detecting element can be mounted on the housing by being pushed or pushed and relocated from a position prior to assembly to the connection locking release position when the connection-detecting element is mounted on the housing; wherein a pair of flexible arm sections is provided on both side parts of the connection-detecting element; wherein the housing is provided with a pair of side walls in a direction which intersects a sliding direction of the connection-detecting element.intersects, wherein the sliding direction corresponds to a forward-backward direction of the connector; wherein a pair of first guide grooves along the sliding direction of the connection-detecting member and a pair of second guide grooves parallel to the pair of first guide grooves and arranged in front of the first guide grooves in a pushing or pushing direction of the connection-detecting member are provided in the pair of side walls; wherein tip portions of the pair of arm sections are present in the pair of first guide grooves at the connection-locking position and the connection-locking-release position, and the tip portions of the pair of arm sections are present in the pair of second guide grooves at the position prior to assembly; and wherein the pair of arm sections is engaged by a pushing or pushing motion.Impact of the connection-detecting link deflects the connection-detecting link and moves it to the connection-assurance-release position when the connection-detecting link is moved or shifted from the position before assembly to the connection-assurance-release position.

[0007] Since the one-connection detecting element is assembled by moving or relocating it from the position prior to assembly to the connection assurance release position, assembly handling can be improved compared to the case where the one-connection detecting element is mounted or arranged directly at the connection assurance release position as before.

[0008] Furthermore, the housing can be provided with a housing-side contact surface to be brought into contact with the connection-detecting element at the connection-assurance-release position, and the connection-detecting element can come into contact with the housing-side contact surface to be positioned at the connection-assurance-release position when it is moved from the position before assembly to the connection-assurance-release position.

[0009] By using or inserting this configuration, since the connection-detecting element comes into contact with the housing-side contact surface to be positioned when it is pushed or moved from the pre-assembly position to the connection-assurance-release position, the connection-detecting element can be reliably mounted on the housing. Effect of the invention

[0010] According to the connector disclosed in this description, it is possible to improve the assembly handling of the link detecting a connection. Brief description of the drawing Fig. Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of a connector in one embodiment, Fig. Figure 2 is a front perspective view of the connector. Fig. Figure 3 is a top view of the connector. Fig. Figure 4 is a rear view of the connector. Fig. Figure 5 is a front view of the connector. Fig. Figure 6 is a front perspective view of a link detecting a connection. Fig. Figure 7 is a rear perspective view of the link detecting a connection. Fig. Figure 8 is a perspective view from the underside of the link detecting a connection. Fig. Figure 9 is a rear perspective view of a housing, Fig. Figure 10 is a front perspective view of the casing, Fig. Figure 11 is a perspective view before the connection-detecting element is mounted on the housing. Fig. Figure 12 is a perspective view in a state where the link detecting a connection is in a position before assembly. Fig. Figure 13 is a rear view in the state where the link detecting connection is in the position before assembly. Fig. 14 is a section along AA of Fig. 5 in a state where the one connection-detecting member is located at a connection-assurance position, Fig. 15 is a section along AA of Fig. 5 in a state where the one connection-detecting member is located at a connection assurance release position, Fig. 16 is a section along BB of Fig. 5 in the state where the one connection-detecting link is located at the connection assurance release position, Fig. Figure 17 is a rear view in section at the position of second arm sections in the state where the one connection detecting link is at the connection securing release position, Fig. 18 is a section along AA of Fig. 5 during a separating operation in a first process or step, Fig. 19 is a section along AA of Fig. 5 during the separating operation in the first process, Fig. 20 is a section along AA of Fig. 5 after the completion of the separating action in the first process, Fig. 21 a cut along BB of Fig. 5 after the completion of the separating action in the first process, Fig. 22 is a rear view in section at the position of the second arm sections after completion of the separating actuation in the first process, Fig. 23 is a section along AA of Fig. 5 during a separating operation in a second process or step, Fig. 24 is a section along AA of Fig. 5 during the separating operation in the second process, and Fig. 25 is a section along AA of Fig. 5 after completion of the separating action in the second process. Embodiments of the invention<Ausführungsform>

[0011] One embodiment is described with reference to Fig. 1 to 25 described.

[0012] A connector 10 of this embodiment comprises a receiving or socket housing 20 and a connection-detecting element 60, which is to be mounted slidably or slidingly on the housing 20, as shown in Fig. As shown in 1. How this is in Fig. As shown in Figure 14, the housing 20 is connected to a matching receiving or connector housing 90. The following description refers to a Z direction and a Y direction. Fig. 4 refers to an upward direction and a direction to the right, and a connecting or joining direction of the housing 20 and the matching housing 90 is referred to as a forward direction.

[0013] The connection-detecting link 60 is a link or element for connection assurance by detecting that the housing 20 and the matching housing 90 are properly or correctly connected, and is a functional link for realizing a so-called CPA (connector position assurance). As this is shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the connection-detecting element or connection-detecting element 60 comprises a body section 62 of the detecting element or detection element body section in the form of a rectangular or right-angled plate, a frame-like latch or locking section 82 which projects forward from the front end of the body section 62 of the detecting element, and a connection-detecting section or connection-detecting section 86 which projects forward from the front end of the body section 62 of the detecting element. The front end surface in the frame of the latch section 82 serves as a latch locking section 84, which will be described later, and which comes into contact with a matching locking section 94 of the matching housing 90 when a connection is released.

[0014] As this is in Fig. 6 and Fig. As shown in Figure 7, a pair of flexible first arm sections (arm sections) 74 and a pair of flexible second arm sections 78, which is arranged in front of the pair of first arm sections 74, are provided on both left and right lateral parts of the body section 62 of the detecting limb.

[0015] As this is in Fig. 6 and Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the pair of first arm sections 74 project forward and are designed to extend downwards from the two lateral parts of the body section 62 of the detecting limb. Furthermore, first claw sections (tip sections) 76, each projecting laterally outwards, are provided on the tip sections of the pair of first arm sections 74.

[0016] As this is in Fig. 6 and Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the pair of second arm sections 78 is shaped to project downwards from the two lateral parts of the body section 62 of the detecting limb, to be folded, and to project upwards. Furthermore, second claw sections 80, each projecting laterally outwards, are provided on the tips of the pair of second arm sections 78.

[0017] As this is in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, a locking lance receiving groove 64 is provided to be open in a rear portion of the lower surface of the body section 62 of the detecting element, and a locking lance 66 projects rearward from the front inner wall of the locking lance receiving groove 64. The locking lance 66 is flexible and reboundable and can be displaced or slid in a vertical direction. The lower surface of the locking lance 66 serves as a sliding surface 68, which slides or slides relative to the housing 20, which will be described later, and a projection or extension 70 is provided to project downward from the sliding surface 68.

[0018] As this is in Fig. 9 and Fig. As shown in Figure 10, the housing 20 includes a receptacle 21 which is open to the front and to the rear, a locking arm 26 which is provided on the upper surface of the receptacle 21, and a pair of left and right side walls 42 which are provided on the upper surface of the receptacle 21.

[0019] As this is in Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the opening 21 consists of a front opening 22, which is open in a connecting direction, and a rear opening 24, which is open in a direction opposite to the connecting direction.

[0020] As this is in Fig. As shown in Figure 9, the locking arm 26 comprises a body section 28 of the locking arm, or locking arm body section, which has a rectangular shape that is long in a forward-backward direction and has a frame-like opening, and a base end section 36 that projects downward from the lower surface of the body section 28 of the locking arm and is connected to the upper surface of the rear receptacle 24. A rectangular pressing section 34, which allows the locking arm 26 to be pressed downward with a finger, is provided in a rear portion of the upper surface of the body section 28 of the locking arm. When the pressing section 34 is pressed downward with a finger, the locking arm 26 can be displaced in a sawtooth-like manner with the base end section 36 as a pivot point.

[0021] As this is in Fig. As shown in Figure 9, a locking section 38, which has a rectangular or right-angled opening, is provided directly in front of the pressing section 34 of the body section 28 of the locking arm. The tip of the frame-like opening of the body section 28 of the locking arm serves as a housing-side locking section 32, which comes into contact with the matching locking section 94 of the matching housing 90, which will be described later. The connection-detecting element 60 is slidably mounted or arranged on the upper surface of the body section 28 of the locking arm.

[0022] As this is in Fig. As shown in Figure 9, the pair of side walls 42 is designed to project upwards from the upper surface of the rear receptacle 24 and is arranged laterally to the locking arm 26. A pair of first guide grooves 44 and a pair of second guide grooves 48, which is arranged above the pair of first guide grooves 44, are provided along a sliding direction (forward-backward direction) of the connection-detecting member 60 in surfaces of the pair of side walls 42, which are oriented towards each other. The pair of second guide grooves 48 is arranged above the pair of first guide grooves 44. The bottom surfaces of the pair of first guide grooves 44 serve as first tapered surfaces 46, which are inclined in the direction of the first guide grooves 44 oriented towards them.Similarly, the bottom surfaces of the pair of second guide grooves 48 serve as second tapered surfaces 52, which are inclined in the direction of the second guide grooves 48 directed towards them.

[0023] To mount the connection-detecting link 60 on the housing 20, the first claw sections 76 of the pair of first arm sections 74 of the connection-detecting link 60 are first inserted into the second guide grooves 48 of the pair of side walls 42, as shown in Fig. 11 and Fig. Figure 12 shows that the connection-detecting link 60 is mounted at a position prior to assembly, which is shown in Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 is shown.

[0024] When the body section 62 of the detecting element is subsequently pressed downwards, the pair of first arm sections 74 slides or shifts against the second tapered surfaces 52 of the second guide grooves 48 to be deflected towards the first arm sections 74 facing them. Furthermore, the pair of second arm sections 78 slides against the upper end parts of the pair of side walls 42 to be deflected towards the second arm sections 78 facing them. In this way, the pair of first arm sections 74 exits the pair of second guide grooves 48, and the lower surface of the pressed body section 62 of the detecting element comes into contact with the upper surface of the body section 28 of the locking arm to stop a downward displacement of the detecting element 60.The connection-detecting link 60 will be positioned. At this time, as described in... Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the deflected first arm sections 74 are retracted, and the first claw sections 76 enter the first guide grooves 44. Furthermore, the pair of deflected second arm sections 78 is retracted, and the second claw sections 80 enter the second guide grooves 48. Furthermore, since the projection 70 of the locking lance 66 is located in the locking section 38 and the projection 70 comes into contact with the inner wall of the locking section 38 when the connection-detecting element 60 is displaced in the connection direction, the connection-detecting element 60 locks through the locking section 38. This position is a connection-secure release position of the connection-detecting element 60, which will be described later. Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 15 shows that the connection-detecting element 60 can be mounted on the housing 20 in the manner described above.

[0025] At the connection securing release position, a housing-side contact surface 30, which is the upper surface of the body section 28 of the locking arm of the housing 20, and a detecting, link-side contact surface 72, which is the lower surface of the body section 62 of the detecting link of the connection detecting link 60, are in contact, as shown in Fig. 16 is shown. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 17, the upper surfaces of the second claw sections 80 of the second arm sections 78 and arm contact sections 50, which are the top surfaces of the second guide grooves 48 of the housing 20, are in contact. This arrangement limits vertical displacement of the connection-detecting element 60 and suppresses vibration or wobbling of the connection-detecting element 60, since the second arm sections 78 are in contact with the arm contact sections 50 of the housing 20 in a direction opposite to a direction from the contact surface 72 on the side of the detecting element to the contact surface 30 on the housing side (downward direction).

[0026] Furthermore, the second claw sections 80 of the second arm sections 78 are in restorable contact with the arm contact sections 50 of the second guide grooves 48, and the contact surface 72 on the side of the detecting element presses the housing-side contact surface 30 by reaction forces from the second claw sections 80 of the second guide grooves 48. In this way, the contact surface 30 on the housing side and the contact surface 72 on the side of the detecting element are reliably kept in contact.

[0027] As this is in Fig. As shown in Figure 15, the matching housing 90 includes a matched or matching receptacle 92, which is open in the connection direction, and the matching or matching locking section 94, which projects upwards from the upper surface of the matching receptacle 92.

[0028] When the housing 20 and the mating housing 90 are connected, the mating locking section 94 is positioned in the direction of connection in front of the housing-side locking section 32 and the latch locking section 84, when viewed from the side of the housing 20, as shown in Fig. Figure 15 shows that when the mating housing 90 is separated from the housing 20, the locking of the mating locking section 94 and the housing-side locking section 32 is first released in a first operation or step, and subsequently, the locking of the mating locking section 94 and the latch locking section 84 is released in a second operation. In this way, the mating housing 90 is separated in two operations.

[0029] When the one connection-detecting element 60 is displaced in the connection direction, wherein the housing 20 and the matching housing 90 are connected and the one connection-detecting element 60 is arranged at the connection-assurance-release position, which is in Fig. As shown in Figure 15, the projection 70 of the locking lance 66 is retracted upwards as it comes into contact with the inner wall of the locking section 38 and slides or moves relative to it, causing the projection 70 to ride on the locking section 38. Because the locking lance 66 is retracted as the projection 70 rides over the locking section 38 in this manner, the stress exerted on the projection 70 when it comes into contact with the inner wall of the locking section 38 is reduced, and the projection 70 is prevented from being scratched by repeated riding on the locking section 38.

[0030] As the connection-detecting element 60 slides or is displaced further in the connection direction, a tip portion of the connection-detecting section 86 rides over the matching locking section 94 and the housing-side locking section 32, as shown in Fig. Figure 4 shows that this position of the connection-detecting link 60 is a connection-securing position. Furthermore, when the connection-detecting link 60 is allowed to slide or be moved, the second claw sections 80 of the pair of second arm sections 78 slide against the arm contact sections 50 of the pair of second guide grooves 48, and the pair of second arm sections 78 is deflected in directions that are directed towards each other. In this way, the connection-detecting link 60 can be moved smoothly.

[0031] When the housing 20 and the matching housing 90 are properly connected, the connection-detecting element 60 can move from the connection-assurance release position, which is located in Fig. As shown in Figure 15, the connection securing position is moved or relocated to which it is in Fig. Figure 14 shows this. On the other hand, in a condition where the housings are not properly connected, the connection-detecting element 60 cannot be moved to the connection-secure position. For example, if the mating locking section 94 is located below the housing-side locking section 32, the connection-detecting section 86 will come into contact with the housing-side locking section 32, even if the connection-detecting element 60 is moved in the connection direction. In this way, the connection-detecting element 60 cannot be moved or relocated to the connection-secure position.

[0032] The process or procedure for releasing or disconnecting the connection between housing 20 and the matching housing 90, wherein the connection-detecting element 60 is arranged at the connection-security position, is described. First, the connection-detecting element 60 is positioned at the connection-security position, which is located in Fig. As shown in Figure 14, it is pulled in the opposite direction to the connection direction and set at the connection securing release position, which is in Fig. Figure 15 shows that when the pressing section 34 of the locking arm 26 is subsequently pressed downwards, the housing-side locking section 32 is moved upwards, as shown in Figure 15. Fig. Figure 18 shows that when the mating housing 90 is subsequently pulled in the opposite direction to the connection direction, the mating locking section 94 comes into contact with the latch locking section 84, as shown in Figure 18. Fig. Figure 19 shows that if the mating housing 90 is subsequently pulled further in the direction opposite to the connection direction, the mating connecting section 94 pulls the latch locking section 84, and the connection-detecting element 60 is also displaced in the same direction as the mating housing 90. In this way, the mating locking section 94 is positioned between the housing-side locking section 32 and the latch locking section 84, as shown in Figure 19. Fig. 20 is shown, and the separation of the matching housing 90 is completed or finished in the first process.

[0033] Even when the separation is complete in the first process, the housing-side contact surface 30 and the contact surface 72 on the side of the connection-detecting element are in contact, as shown in Fig. Figure 21 shows how it works at the connection assurance release position. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 22, the upper surfaces of the second claw sections 80 of the connection-detecting element 60 and the arm contact sections 50, which are the top surfaces of the second guide grooves 48 of the housing 20, are in contact. In this way, vertical vibration or rattling of the connection-detecting element 60 is suppressed when the separation in the first operation is completed. This prevents the latch locking section 84 from being displaced or shifted upwards and the mating housing 90 from being separated without the separation operation or the separating actuation by the vibration of the connection-detecting element 60.

[0034] Subsequently, when the pressing section 34 of the locking arm 26 is pressed or pressed, the latch locking section 84 of the connection-detecting member 60 is also moved upwards together with the housing-side locking section 32, as shown in Fig. 23 is shown. The following is shown if the matching housing is pulled 90° in the direction opposite to the joining direction, as shown in Fig. 24 and Fig. As shown in Figure 25, the separation of the matching housing 90 is completed in the second process.

[0035] As described above, according to this embodiment, since the connection-detecting element 60 is assembled before being moved or relocated from the position prior to assembly to the connection-securing release position, assembly handling or machinability can be improved compared to the case where the connection-detecting element 60 is mounted or arranged directly at the connection-securing release position as before.

[0036] Furthermore, since the connection-detecting element 60 comes into contact with the housing-side contact surface 30 in order to be positioned when it is pushed or pressed and moved from the position before assembly to the connection-securing-release position, the connection-detecting element 60 can be reliably mounted on the housing 20. <Andere Ausführungsformen>

[0037] The technology disclosed by this description is not limited to the embodiment described and illustrated above. For example, the following different types are also included. (1) Although the locking lance 66 projects backwards from the front inner wall of the locking lance receiving groove 64 in the above embodiment, a locking lance may project forwards from the rear surface of a locking lance receiving groove. (2) Although the connection-detecting element 60 includes the latch section 82 and the connection-detecting section 86 in the above embodiment, a connection-detecting element need not or may not include a latch section. (3) Although the second claw sections 80 of the second arm sections 78 are configured to be resilient or elastic in contact with the arm contact sections 50 of the second guide grooves 48 in the above embodiment, the second claw sections 80 of the second arm sections 78 may or may not be in contact with the arm contact sections 50 of the second guide grooves 48. List of reference symbols 10 connectors 20 cases 30 housing-side contact surface 42 side wall 44 first guide groove or slot 48 second guide groove or slot 60 a connection detecting link 74 first arm section 76 First claw section (tip part) 90 matching or coordinated housings

Claims

[1] Connectors (10), comprising: a housing (20) which is to be connected to a matching housing (90) along a connection direction, wherein the connection direction corresponds to a forward direction of the connector (10); and a separate, connection-detecting element (60) to be slidably mounted on the housing (20) to ensure a connection between the housing (20) and the matching housing (90), where: the connection-detecting element (60) is displaceable relative to a connection-assurance position, where a connection assurance of the housing (20) and the matching housing (90) is established, and a connection-assurance release position, where the connection assurance is released. the connection-detecting element (60) can be mounted on the housing (20) by sliding and relocating it from a position prior to assembly, before assembly is carried out, to the connection-securing-release position when mounting the connection-detecting element (60) on the housing (20), a pair of flexible arm sections (74) is provided on both side parts of the connection-detecting link (60), the housing (20) is provided with a pair of side walls (42) in a direction which intersects a sliding direction of the connection detecting member (60), wherein the sliding direction corresponds to a forward-backward direction of the connector (10), a pair of first guide grooves (44) along the sliding direction of the connection-detecting member (60) and a pair of second guide grooves (48) parallel to the pair of first guide grooves (44) and arranged in front of the first guide grooves (44) in a sliding direction of the connection-detecting member (60) in the pair of side walls (42) are provided, Tip parts (76) of the pair of arm sections (74) are present in the pair of first guide grooves (44) at the connection securing position and the connection securing release position, and the tip parts (76) of the pair of arm sections (74) are present in the pair of second guide grooves (48) at the position prior to assembly, and the pair of arm sections (74) is deflected by a sliding of the connection-detecting link 60) and the connection-detecting link (60) is moved to the connection-assurance-release position when the connection-detecting link (60) is moved from the position before assembly to the connection-assurance-release position. [2] Connector (10) according to claim 1, wherein: the housing (20) is provided with a housing-side contact surface (30) in order to be brought into contact with the connection-detecting element (60) at the connection-assurance-release position, and the connection-detecting element (60) comes into contact with the housing-side contact surface (30) to be positioned at the connection-assurance-release position when it is moved from the position before assembly to the connection-assurance-release position.

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