Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector that can prevent separation of a first cover and a second cover regardless of the direction of application of unintended load, and allows separation of the first cover and the second cover when it needs to be disassembled.SOLUTION: A connector 1 comprises a connector body 2, a first cover 3 that is assembled to a side of a rear end the connector body 2, and a second cover 4 that locates an electric wire derived from the rear end of the connector body 2 between the first cover 3 and the second cover. A pair of locking arms 34 are locked to a pair of locking parts 44 to assemble the second cover 4 to the first cover 3. The first cover 3 and the second cover 4 cover the entire circumferential direction of the locking arms 34 locked to the locking parts 44, with a side plate part 31, a protection rear wall 48, a protection upper wall, a protection lower wall, protection side walls 35, protection side walls 45, and a protection inner wall 43. The pair of protection side walls 45 are each formed with an opening for jig insertion 40 from which part of the locking arm 34 is exposed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] There is known a connector including a connector body and a wire cover that is assembled to the connector body and defines a wiring path for wires led out from the connector body. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a connector in which the wire cover is composed of a first cover and a second cover assembled to each other.

[0003] 11 and 12 are diagrams showing the locking structure of the first cover and the second cover constituting the connector of Patent Document 1. As shown in Figs. 11 and 12, a first locking portion 521 is provided on the edge of the first cover 520. A second locking portion 551 is provided on the edge of the second cover 550.

[0004] The first locking portion 521 has a locking claw 523 formed on a side plate 522 of the first cover 520 and protective ribs 525 formed on both sides of the locking claw 523. The second locking portion 551 has a plate-shaped locking piece 553, a claw portion 554 connected to an end of the locking piece 553, and a protective wall 561 covering the outside of the locking piece 553 and the claw portion 554.

[0005] The first cover 520 and the second cover 550 are brought close to each other, so that the first locking portion 521 fits into the protective wall 561, and the claw portion 554 and the locking claw 523 are locked together, and the first cover 520 and the second cover 550 thus assembled constitute a wire cover.

[0006] As described above, when the first cover 520 and the second cover 550 are assembled, the claw portion 554 and the locking claw 523 are surrounded on all four sides, front, back, left and right, by the protective rib 525, the protective wall 561, and the side plate 522. This prevents the claw portion 554 and the locking claw 523 from being released from the lock when an unintended load is applied from all four sides. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7092728 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] In the locking structure of the first cover 520 and the second cover 550, there was no protective structure above the claws 554 and the locking claws 523 (above the paper surface of FIG. 11). Therefore, there was a risk that the locking between the claws 554 and the locking claws 523 would be released when an unintended load was applied from above.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector that can prevent the first cover and the second cover from separating even if an unintended load is applied from any direction, and that allows the first cover and the second cover to be separated when disassembly is desired. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention is a connector comprising a connector body accommodating a terminal connected to an end of an electric wire, a first cover assembled to the rear end side of the connector body, and a second cover positioning the electric wire led out from the rear end of the connector body between the first cover, one of the first cover and the second cover having a locking arm and the other having a locking portion, the second cover being assembled to the first cover by the locking arm and the locking portion engaging with each other, the first cover and the second cover having a protective portion covering the entire periphery of the locking arm in an engaged state with the locking portion, and an opening for inserting a jig is formed in the protective portion, exposing a portion of the locking arm. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, the first cover and the second cover have a protective portion that covers the entire periphery of the locking arm that is locked with the locking portion, so that the first cover and the second cover can be prevented from being separated even if an unintended load is applied from any direction. Also, the protective portion has a jig insertion opening that exposes a part of the locking arm, so that when it is desired to disassemble the first cover and the second cover, the first cover and the second cover can be separated by inserting a jig into the jig insertion opening and operating it. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state in which a jig is being inserted into a jig insertion opening. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the connector of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the connector of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing only the second cover of FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state in which a jig is inserted into a jig insertion opening. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the connector of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing only the second cover of FIG. 7. [Figure 10] 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 7. [Figure 11] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a locking structure for a first cover and a second cover constituting a conventional connector. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] A "connector" according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0014] The connector 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3 includes a connector body 2 that houses terminals connected to ends of electric wires, a first cover 3 attached to the rear end side of the connector body 2, and a second cover 4 that positions the electric wires led out from the rear end of the connector body 2 between the first cover 3. The electric wires and the terminals are not shown in Figures 1 to 3. The connector 1 is fitted with a mating connector (not shown).

[0015] In this specification, the side of the connector 1 that faces the mating connector in the mating direction is defined as the "front," and the side away from the mating connector in the mating direction is defined as the "rear." Furthermore, the up-down and left-right directions of the connector 1 in this specification are directions based on the paper direction of the drawings, are expressions for the sake of convenience, and do not necessarily coincide with the actual directions of the connector 1 when in use.

[0016] The connector body 2 is made of insulating synthetic resin and has a housing body 20 that houses a plurality of the terminals, a hood portion 21 that surrounds the housing body 20, and a lock arm 22.

[0017] When the connector 1 is mated with a mating connector, the housing of the mating connector is inserted between the housing body 20 and the hood portion 21, the terminals of the mating connector are inserted into the inside of the housing body 20, and the terminals of the connector 1 and the terminals of the mating connector are electrically connected.

[0018] The lock arm 22 is disposed above the housing body 20. The lock arm 22 engages with the mating connector to maintain the mated state between the connector 1 and the mating connector.

[0019] A pair of ribs 23 extending in the up-down direction are formed on the rear end and both left and right side surfaces of the hood portion 21. The pair of ribs 23 are portions to which the first cover 3 is attached.

[0020] The first cover 3 and the second cover 4 are made of insulating synthetic resin. The first cover 3 and the second cover 4 are assembled together to form an electric wire routing path 5, which is a routing path for multiple electric wires led out from the rear end of the connector body 2. The electric wire routing path 5 extends rearward from the rear end of the connector body 2 and is bent upward in an L-shape partway along the way.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 3, the first cover 3 is slid in the direction of arrow D1 from above the connector body 2 and assembled to the connector body 2. After the first cover 3 is assembled to the connector body 2, the second cover 4 is slid in the direction of arrow D2 from behind the first cover 3 and assembled to the first cover 3, as shown in Fig. 3.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 and 5, the first cover 3 has a pair of side plate portions 31 between which the rear half of the hood portion 21 is positioned, a wiring path component portion 32 connecting the rear ends of the pair of side plate portions 31, a pair of locking arms 34, and a pair of protective side walls 35.

[0023] Grooves 33 that engage with the ribs 23 are formed on the inner surfaces of the pair of side plate portions 31. When the first cover 3 is slid in the direction of arrow D1 from above the connector body 2, the grooves 33 of the pair of side plate portions 31 engage with the pair of ribs 23 of the connector body 2, whereby the first cover 3 is assembled to the connector body 2.

[0024] The wiring path component 32 has a recess having a semicircular cross section extending in the vertical direction. The wiring path component 32 is combined with the wiring path components 41 and 42 of the second cover 4 to form the L-shaped electric wire wiring path 5 described above.

[0025] The pair of locking arms 34 are portions that are locked to a pair of locking portions 44 of the second cover 4. The pair of locking arms 34 each have an arm portion 34a extending parallel to each other rearward from the rear ends of the pair of side plate portions 31 (i.e., from the connector body 2 side to the second cover 4 side), and a protrusion portion 34b protruding from the tip of the arm portion 34a in directions approaching each other.

[0026] The pair of protective side walls 35 extend rearward from the rear ends of the pair of side plate portions 31 and are disposed outward of the pair of arm portions 34a. A gap is provided between each protective side wall 35 and each arm portion 34a. This gap is a gap (space) for the arm portions 34a to bend outward when the locking arm 34 locks with the locking portion 44.

[0027] As shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 5, the second cover 4 has wiring path forming parts 41 and 42. The wiring path forming part 41 extends rearward from near the rear end of the connector body 2 and is disposed below the wiring path forming part 32. The wiring path forming part 41 is disposed with a gap between it and the wiring path forming part 32 for passing the electric wire. The wiring path forming part 42 is connected to the rear end of the wiring path forming part 41 and extends upward. The wiring path forming part 42 has a recess having a semicircular cross section. The wiring path forming part 42 is disposed opposite to the wiring path forming part 32, and the recess of the wiring path forming part 42 and the recess of the wiring path forming part 32 form an electric wire wiring path having a circular cross section. In this way, the wiring path forming parts 32, 41, and 42 are combined to form the above-mentioned L-shaped electric wire wiring path 5.

[0028] The second cover 4 further has a pair of protective inner walls 43, a locking portion 44, a protective side wall 45, a protective upper wall 46, a protective lower wall 47, and a protective rear wall 48. The pair of protective inner walls 43 are arranged on both the left and right sides of the wiring path configuration portion 42. As described above, the pair of locking portions 44 are portions to which the pair of locking arms 34 are locked. The pair of locking portions 44 are connected to the pair of protective inner walls 43, respectively, and protrude in directions away from each other. The pair of protective side walls 45 are arranged outside the pair of locking arms 34 and on the opposite side to the protruding portion 34b. Each protective side wall 45 is adjacent to each protective side wall 35 of the first cover 3. The pair of protective upper walls 46 are arranged above the pair of locking arms 34. The pair of protective lower walls 47 are arranged below the pair of locking arms 34. The pair of protective rear walls 48 are arranged behind the pair of locking arms 34.

[0029] 3, when the second cover 4 is slid in the direction of arrow D2 from behind the first cover 3, the pair of locking arms 34 and the pair of locking portions 44 are locked together, and the second cover 4 is assembled to the first cover 3. When the locking arms 34 and the locking portions 44 are locked together, the protrusions 34b ride on the locking portions 44, causing the arm portions 34a to bend outward, and the protrusions 34b ride over the locking portions 44, causing the bent arm portions 34a to return to their original state, resulting in the locked state shown in FIG.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 5, a side plate portion 31 is disposed in front of the locking arm 34 which is in a locked state with the locking portion 44. A protective rear wall 48 is disposed behind the locking arm 34. A protective upper wall 46 is disposed above the locking arm 34. A protective lower wall 47 is disposed below the locking arm 34. Protective side walls 35, 45 are disposed outward from the locking arm 34. A protective inner wall 43 is disposed inward from the locking arm 34.

[0031] In this way, the first cover 3 and the second cover 4 cover the entire periphery of the locking arm 34 that is locked with the locking portion 44 by the side plate portion 31, the protective rear wall 48, the protective upper wall 46, the protective lower wall 47, the protective side walls 35, 45, and the protective inner wall 43. The side plate portion 31, the protective rear wall 48, the protective upper wall 46, the protective lower wall 47, the protective side walls 35, 45, and the protective inner wall 43 correspond to the "protective portion" in the claims.

[0032] As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 6, a pair of protective side walls 45 is formed with a jig insertion opening 40 that exposes a part of the locking arm 34. In this example, only the tip of the arm portion 34a is exposed by the jig insertion opening 40. The jig insertion opening 40 is a small opening for inserting a rod-shaped jig 9. When it is desired to disassemble the first cover 3 and the second cover 4 that are assembled together, the jig 9 is inserted into the jig insertion opening 40 and operated in the direction of arrow D3 in Fig. 6, thereby bending the arm portion 34a outward and separating the first cover 3 and the second cover 4.

[0033] As described above, the connector 1 covers the locking arm 34 in the locked state with the locking portion 44 in all directions with the side plate portion 31, the protective rear wall 48, the protective upper wall 46, the protective lower wall 47, the protective side walls 35, 45, and the protective inner wall 43. Therefore, even if an unintended load is applied from any direction, the first cover 3 and the second cover 4 can be prevented from being separated. In addition, when it is desired to disassemble the first cover 3 and the second cover 4, the first cover 3 and the second cover 4 can be separated by inserting the jig 9 into the jig insertion opening 40 and operating it. In addition, since the jig insertion opening 40 is a small opening that exposes only a part of the locking arm 34, even if a peripheral part of the connector 1 hits the jig insertion opening 40, the peripheral part does not directly touch the locking arm 34, and the locked state of the locking arm 34 can be maintained.

[0034] A "connector" according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 10. In Figures 7 to 10, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0035] 7, 8 and 10 includes a connector body 2 that houses terminals connected to ends of electric wires, a first cover 3 attached to the rear end side of the connector body 2, and a second cover 104 that positions the electric wires led out from the rear end of the connector body 2 between the first cover 3. The electric wires and the terminals are omitted from illustration in Figs. 7, 8 and 10. That is, the connector 101 has the same configuration as the connector 1 of the first embodiment except for the second cover 104.

[0036] In the second cover 4 of the first embodiment, the jig insertion opening 40 is formed in a pair of protective side walls 45, but in the second cover 104 of this example, as shown in Figs. 7 to 9, the jig insertion opening 140 is formed in a pair of protective upper walls 46 arranged above the pair of locking arms 34. In addition, the pair of jig insertion openings 140 are arranged on both sides of the electric wire lead-out port in the electric wire routing path 5. In this example, only the tip of the locking arm 34 is exposed by the jig insertion opening 140. The jig insertion opening 140 is a small opening for inserting a rod-shaped jig 9.

[0037] When it is desired to disassemble the first cover 3 and the second cover 104 which are assembled together, the jig 9 can be inserted into the jig insertion opening 140 as shown in FIG. 7 and operated to bend the arm portion 34a outward, thereby separating the first cover 3 and the second cover 104.

[0038] In the connector 101 of this example, like the connector 1 of the first embodiment, the locking arm 34 in the locked state with the locking portion 44 is covered in all directions by the side plate portion 31, the protective rear wall 48, the protective upper wall 46, the protective lower wall 47, the protective side walls 35, 45, and the protective inner wall 43. Therefore, even if an unintended load is applied from any direction, the first cover 3 and the second cover 104 can be prevented from being separated. In addition, when it is desired to disassemble the first cover 3 and the second cover 104, the first cover 3 and the second cover 104 can be separated by inserting the jig 9 into the jig insertion opening 140 and operating it. In addition, the jig insertion opening 140 is a small opening that exposes only a part of the locking arm 34. Therefore, even if a peripheral part of the connector 101 hits the jig insertion opening 140, the peripheral part does not directly come into contact with the locking arm 34, and the locked state of the locking arm 34 can be maintained.

[0039] In the above-described embodiment, the first cover 3 has the locking arm 34 and the second cover 4, 104 has the locking portion 44, but in the present invention, the second cover may have the locking arm and the first cover may have the locking portion.

[0040] In the above-described embodiment, the jig insertion openings 40, 140 are formed in the protective portion on the second cover 4, 104 side, but in the present invention, the jig insertion openings may be formed in the protective portion on the first cover side.

[0041] The above-described embodiment merely shows a typical form of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. In other words, the present invention can be embodied in various modifications without departing from the gist of the present invention. As long as the configuration of the present invention is still provided even with such modifications, it is of course included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1,101 Connectors 2 Connector body 3 First Cover 4,104 2nd Cover 5. Electrical wiring route 31 Side plate part (protection part) 34 Locking arm 35 Protective side wall (protective part) 40,140 Jig insertion opening 43 Protective inner wall (protective part) 44 Locking part 45 Protective side wall (protective part) 46 Protective upper wall (protective part) 47 Protective lower wall (protective part) 48 Protection rear wall (protection part)

Claims

1. A connector body that houses a terminal connected to an end of an electric wire; a first cover attached to a rear end side of the connector body; a second cover that positions the electric wires led out from the rear end of the connector body between the first cover and the second cover, one of the first cover and the second cover has a locking arm and the other has a locking portion, and the second cover is assembled to the first cover by the locking arm and the locking portion being locked with each other; the first cover and the second cover each have a protective portion that covers the entire periphery of the locking arm that is in a locked state with the locking portion, The protective portion has a jig insertion opening through which a part of the locking arm is exposed. A connector characterized by:

2. The first cover has a pair of the locking arms, the pair of locking arms each have an arm portion extending parallel to each other from the connector body side to the second cover side, and a protrusion portion protruding in a direction approaching each other from a tip of the arm portion, the second cover has a pair of protective side walls arranged outwardly of the pair of locking arms and on opposite sides of the protrusion, the pair of protective side walls being part of the protective portion; The pair of protective side walls are formed with the jig insertion openings.

2. The connector according to claim 1 .

3. The first cover and the second cover extend rearward from a rear end of the connector body and form an L-shaped electric wire routing path that is bent upward midway, The first cover has a pair of the locking arms, the second cover has a pair of protective upper walls disposed above the pair of locking arms, the pair of protective upper walls being part of the protective portion; The pair of protective upper walls are formed with the jig insertion openings.

2. The connector according to claim 1 .

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