Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector which can easily adjust the operation force of a holder.SOLUTION: A connector 1 includes: a housing 3; and a holder 5 built to the housing 3 to be movable between a provisional engagement position and an official engagement position. A plurality of protrusions 31 are provided in one of the housing 3 and the holder 5 to be engaged with the other of the housing 3 and the holder 5 to hold the holder 5 in the provisional engagement position and in the official engagement position, and inclined surfaces 37, 37 are provided in both sides of the protrusions 31 in the direction in which the holder 5 is moved.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a connector is known that includes a housing and a holder that is assembled to the housing so as to be movable between a temporary locking position and a full locking position (see Patent Document 1). In this connector, a pair of locking arms is provided on the housing, and an arm receiving portion that can be inserted between the pair of locking arms is provided on the holder. One of the pair of locking arms is provided with a full locking projection. The arm receiving portion is provided with a full engagement projection that serves as a projection that engages with the full locking projection at the temporary locking position and the full locking position of the holder. The full engagement projection engages with one side of the full locking projection in the moving direction of the holder, thereby restricting the holder from moving from the temporary locking position to the full locking position. On the other hand, the full engagement projection engages with the other side of the full locking projection in the moving direction of the holder, thereby restricting the holder from moving from the full locking position to the temporary locking position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-45546 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, in a connector such as that of Patent Document 1, in order to release the engagement of the protrusion by the movement of the holder, both sides of the protrusion in the direction of movement of the holder are formed with inclined surfaces. The inclined surfaces of the protrusion can adjust the operating force when moving the holder, for example, by changing the inclination angle. However, in a connector such as that of Patent Document 1, only one protrusion having an inclined surface for adjusting the operating force of the holder is provided between the housing and the holder. For this reason, there is only one inclined surface for adjusting the operating force of the holder in the moving direction of the holder, and it is necessary to increase the machining accuracy of the inclined surface, making it difficult to adjust the operating force of the holder.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the conventional technology, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector in which the operating force of the holder can be easily adjusted. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The connector of this embodiment comprises a housing and a holder that is assembled to the housing so as to be movable between a temporary locking position and a full locking position, and one of the housing or the holder is provided with a plurality of protrusions that engage with the other to hold the holder at the temporary locking position and the full locking position, and each of the plurality of protrusions is provided with an inclined surface on both sides in the direction of movement of the holder. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector in which the operating force of the holder can be easily adjusted. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of the connector according to the embodiment when the holder is placed in a temporary locking position. FIG. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view of the connector according to the embodiment when the holder is placed in a full locking position. FIG. [Diagram 3]1 is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to the embodiment when the holder is placed in a temporary locking position. [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to the embodiment when the holder is placed in a full locking position. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a housing of the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a holder of the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a holder of the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] 4 is a cross-sectional view of a holder of the connector according to the embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the connector according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0010] As shown in Fig. 1, the connector 1 according to this embodiment is applied to electrically connect electrical components, such as a power source and a device, or devices and devices. The connector 1 is, for example, electrically connected to one electrical component and can be fitted with a mating connector (not shown) electrically connected to the other electrical component. The connector 1 electrically connects the electrical components by fitting with the mating connector.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the connector 1 includes a housing 3 and a holder 5. The housing 3 and the holder 5 include a housing 3 and a holder 5. As shown in FIG.

[0012] 1 to 5, the housing 3 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The housing 3 is formed into a case shape that can be fitted with a mating connector. The housing 3 includes a lock arm 7, a detection accommodating portion 9, and a terminal accommodating portion 11.

[0013] The lock arm 7 is disposed above the housing 3 in the height direction, and extends in the direction of fitting and removing with the mating connector. The lock arm 7 is a member continuous with the housing 3, and is provided so as to be elastically deformable in the height direction of the housing 3. The lock arm 7 is provided with a locking portion (not shown) that can engage with a locked portion (not shown) provided on the mating connector. When the connector 1 and the mating connector are fitted together, the locked portion and the locking portion of the lock arm 7 are engaged with each other. The engagement between the locked portion and the locking portion maintains the fitted state of the connector 1 and the mating connector. The engagement between the locked portion and the locking portion is released by pressing the arm operating portion 13 of the lock arm 7 downward, as the lock arm 7 is elastically deformed. The engagement between the locked portion and the locking portion can be released from the fitting of the connector 1 and the mating connector by releasing the engagement between the locked portion and the locking portion.

[0014] The detection accommodation section 9 is disposed above the housing 3 in the height direction, similar to the lock arm 7. The detection accommodation section 9 accommodates a detection member 15 that is movable along the extending direction of the lock arm 7. The detection member 15 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The detection member 15 is accommodated in the detection accommodation section 9 so as to be movable between a temporary locking position and a full locking position. The detection member 15 is also referred to as a CPA (Connector Position Assurance). The detection member 15 is provided with a detection operation section 17 that is disposed exposed from the housing 3. When the connector 1 and the mating connector are properly mated, the detection member 15 can be moved from the temporary locking position to the full locking position by operating the detection operation section 17. On the other hand, when the connector 1 and the mating connector are not properly mated, the detection member 15 cannot be moved from the temporary locking position to the full locking position even if the detection operation section 17 is operated. Therefore, the mating state of the connector 1 and the mating connector can be detected based on whether the detection member 15 can be moved or not.

[0015] The terminal accommodating portion 11 is disposed below the housing 3 in the height direction, and extends cylindrically along the mating direction and the separating direction with respect to the mating connector. A packing 19 is disposed outside the terminal accommodating portion 11, which is in close contact with the mating connector to waterproof the gap between the mating connector and the connector 1 when the connector 1 and the mating connector are mated. The inside of the terminal accommodating portion 11 is partitioned into a plurality of rows (three rows in this case) along the width direction of the housing 3. A plurality of terminals (not shown) are respectively accommodated inside the terminal accommodating portion 11. Both ends of the terminal accommodating portion 11 in the length direction are opened. In the opening on one side of the terminal accommodating portion 11, a tab-shaped mating connection portion of a mating terminal (not shown) consisting of a male terminal accommodated in the mating connector is inserted when the connector 1 and the mating connector are mated. In the opening on the other side of the terminal accommodating portion 11, a terminal (not shown) is inserted toward the inside.

[0016] The terminal is made of a conductive material, and is, for example, a female terminal having a connecting portion formed in a box shape. The terminal is electrically connected, for example, by crimping to an end portion of an electric wire electrically connected to an electric component. The terminal accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 11 is electrically connected to a mating terminal when the connector 1 and a mating connector are mated. A locking lance 21 that is elastically deformable in the height direction of the housing 3 is provided at the bottom inside the terminal accommodating portion 11. The locking lance 21 engages with the terminal to prevent the terminal from coming out of the terminal accommodating portion 11, and holds the terminal in the terminal accommodating portion 11.

[0017] The outer surface of the terminal accommodating portion 11 is provided with a locked surface 23, a protrusion insertion hole 25, and a pair of detachable insertion holes 27, 27. The locked surface 23 is provided in a plurality (here, two) on the outer surface of the terminal accommodating portion 11 on the mating surface side with the mating connector. The locked surface 23 is formed as an inclined surface. The protrusion insertion hole 25 is provided in a plurality (here, two) on the upper surface side on the outer surface of the terminal accommodating portion 11. The protrusion insertion hole 25 is formed penetrating the upper wall of the terminal accommodating portion 11 and extends along the mating direction with the mating connector. The end of the protrusion insertion hole 25 is located at the center of the locked surface 23 in the width direction and is arranged on the rear side of the locked surface 23 in the mating direction with the mating connector. The pair of detachable insertion holes 27, 27 is provided in a plurality of sets (here, two sets) on the upper surface side on the outer surface of the terminal accommodating portion 11, and each set is arranged on both sides of the protrusion insertion hole 25. The pair of detachable insertion holes 27, 27 are formed penetrating the upper wall of the terminal accommodating portion 11 and extend along the mating direction with the mating connector. The ends of the pair of detachable insertion holes 27, 27 are located on both sides in the width direction of the locked surface 23 and are located rearward of the ends of the locked surface 23 and the protrusion insertion hole 25 in the mating direction with the mating connector. A holder 5 is assembled to the terminal accommodating portion 11.

[0018] As shown in Figs. 1 to 4 and 6 to 8, the holder 5 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The holder 5 is formed in a cylindrical shape capable of accommodating the terminal accommodating portion 11. The upper wall of the holder 5 is elastically deformable. The holder 5 is assembled to the terminal accommodating portion 11 so as to be movable between a provisional locking position (see Fig. 1) and a full locking position (see Fig. 2). At the full locking position (see Fig. 4), the holder 5 prevents the packing 19 from falling off from the terminal accommodating portion 11. The holder 5 includes a lance restricting portion 29, a protrusion 31, a separation preventing portion 33, and a movement restricting portion 35.

[0019] A plurality of (three in this embodiment) lance restricting portions 29 are provided corresponding to a plurality of (three in this embodiment) locking lances 21 of the terminal accommodating portion 11 partitioned into a plurality of rows (three in this embodiment). The lance restricting portions 29 extend along the moving direction of the holder 5 (the direction of mating with the mating connector). The lance restricting portions 29 are inserted and disposed within an allowable space for elastic deformation of the locking lance 21 at the full locking position (see FIG. 4) of the holder 5. The lance restricting portions 29 disposed within the allowable space restrict the elastic deformation of the locking lance 21. By restricting the elastic deformation of the locking lance 21, the locking lance 21 and the terminal are not disengaged, and the terminal can be stably held in the terminal accommodating portion 11. On the other hand, the lance restricting portions 29 are removed from the allowable space for elastic deformation of the locking lance 21 at the provisional locking position (see FIG. 3) of the holder 5. By removing the lance restricting portion 29 from the allowable space, the locking lance 21 can be elastically deformed by a jig (not shown). By elastically deforming the locking lance 21, the engagement between the locking lance 21 and the terminal can be released, and the terminal can be removed from the terminal accommodating portion 11.

[0020] A plurality of (here, two) protrusions 31 are provided on the inner surface of the upper wall of holder 5 in correspondence with the plurality of (here, two) protrusion insertion holes 25 of terminal accommodating portion 11. The plurality of protrusions 31 protrude inward from the inner surface of holder 5 so as to be engageable with locked surfaces 23 and insertable into protrusion insertion holes 25 when holder 5 is assembled to terminal accommodating portion 11. Inclined surfaces 37, 37 are provided on both sides of the plurality of protrusions 31 in the movement direction of holder 5 so as to make protrusions 31 trapezoidal in side view.

[0021] When the holder 5 is in the temporary locking position (see FIG. 3), one of the inclined surfaces 37 (the inclined surface 37 on the right side in FIG. 3) of the projection 31 is engaged with the locked surface 23 of the terminal accommodating portion 11. The engagement between the inclined surface 37 of the projection 31 and the locked surface 23 restricts the holder 5 from moving from the temporary locking position to the full locking position due to an unexpected external force or the like, and the holder 5 is held in the temporary locking position. The engagement between the inclined surface 37 of the projection 31 and the locked surface 23 is released when, for example, an operator presses the holder 5 toward the full locking position, causing the upper wall of the holder 5 to elastically deform, and the inclined surface 37 of the projection 31 overcomes the locked surface 23. When the holder 5 is in the full locking position (see FIG. 4), the projection 31 is inserted into the projection insertion hole 25, and the other inclined surface 37 (the inclined surface 37 on the left side in FIG. 4) is engaged with the open end of the projection insertion hole 25. The engagement between the inclined surface 37 of the projection 31 and the open end of the projection insertion hole 25 restricts the holder 5 from moving from the full-locking position to the temporary-locking position due to an unexpected external force or the like, and holds the holder 5 in the full-locking position. The engagement between the inclined surface 37 of the projection 31 and the open end of the projection insertion hole 25 is released when, for example, an operator presses the holder 5 toward the temporary-locking position, causing the upper wall of the holder 5 to elastically deform and the inclined surface 37 of the projection 31 to climb over the open end of the projection insertion hole 25.

[0022] The operating force for such movement of the holder 5 can be adjusted, for example, by changing the inclination angle of the inclined surfaces 37, 37 of the protrusion 31. Here, in the conventional connector, only one protrusion 31 having inclined surfaces 37, 37 capable of adjusting the operating force of the holder 5 is provided. Therefore, the holder 5 has only one adjustable inclined surface 37 on both sides in the moving direction of the holder 5. In the conventional connector, for example, if the inclination angle of the inclined surface 37 is made too gentle in order to weaken the operating force of the holder 5, it is irreversible and high processing accuracy is required.

[0023] In contrast, in the connector 1, a plurality of (here, two) protrusions 31 having inclined surfaces 37, 37 capable of adjusting the operating force of the holder 5 are provided. Therefore, a plurality of (here, two) inclined surfaces 37 capable of adjusting the operating force of the holder 5 are present on both sides of the moving direction of the holder 5. If a plurality of inclined surfaces 37 are provided with respect to the moving direction of the holder 5, the operating force of the holder 5 can be delicately adjusted by changing the design of each inclined surface 37 differently. For example, even if the inclination angle of one inclined surface 37 is made too gentle in order to weaken the operating force of the holder 5, it can be corrected by adjusting the inclination angle of the other inclined surfaces 37. Therefore, high processing accuracy is not required, and the operating force of the holder 5 can be easily adjusted.

[0024] A plurality of (here, two) detachment prevention portions 33 are provided on the upper wall of the holder 5 in correspondence with a plurality of (here, two) pairs of detachment insertion holes 27, 27 of the terminal accommodating portion 11. The detachment prevention portion 33 includes an elastic piece 39 and a pair of detachment projections 41, 41. The elastic piece 39 extends from an end of the upper wall of the holder 5 along the moving direction of the holder 5 (the direction of fitting with the mating connector). The elastic piece 39 is provided elastically deformable so that the upper wall side of the holder 5 is a base end and the tip side is a free end. The width of the elastic piece 39 is set to a length that allows it to be arranged across the pair of detachment insertion holes 27, 27. The pair of detachment projections 41, 41 are provided on the inner surface of the free end side of the elastic piece 39 in correspondence with the pair of detachment insertion holes 27, 27. The pair of detachment projections 41, 41 protrude inward from the inner surface of the elastic piece 39 so as to be engageable with the locked surface 23 and insertable into the pair of detachment insertion holes 27, 27 when the elastic piece 39 is in a free state (a state restored from elastic deformation). The pair of detachment projections 41, 41 have a front side in the assembly direction of the holder 5 to the terminal accommodating portion 11 formed as an inclined surface, and a rear side in the assembly direction of the holder 5 to the terminal accommodating portion 11 formed as a vertical engaging surface.

[0025] When the holder 5 is assembled to the terminal accommodating portion 11, the inclined surfaces of the pair of detachment protrusions 41, 41 slide against the locked surface 23 of the terminal accommodating portion 11, and the elastic piece 39 is elastically deformed. When the holder 5 is placed in the temporary locking position (see FIG. 1), the pair of detachment protrusions 41, 41 are inserted into the pair of detachment insertion holes 27, 27, and the elastically deformed elastic piece 39 is restored to its original shape. The pair of detachment protrusions 41, 41 inserted into the pair of detachment insertion holes 27, 27 have their locking surfaces engaged with the opening ends of the pair of detachment insertion holes 27, 27. The engagement between the locking surfaces of the detachment protrusions 41 and the opening ends of the detachment insertion holes 27 prevents the holder 5 from being detached from the terminal accommodating portion 11, and the holder 5 can be stably held in the temporary locking position.

[0026] A plurality of movement restricting portions 35 (four in this example) are provided on the inner surface of the upper wall of holder 5, corresponding to the end face of terminal accommodating portion 11 on which locked surface 23 is not provided. Movement restricting portions 35 are disposed rearward of protrusions 31 in the direction in which holder 5 is attached to terminal accommodating portion 11. Movement restricting portions 35 are protrusions having a length that protrudes inward from the inner surface of holder 5 so as to be able to come into contact with the end face of terminal accommodating portion 11 when holder 5 is in the full locking position (see FIG. 2). The surface of movement restricting portion 35 facing the end face of terminal accommodating portion 11 is a vertical locking surface.

[0027] When holder 5 is in the full locking position, the locking surface of movement restricting portion 35 engages with an end face of terminal accommodating portion 11 that is not provided with locked surface 23. Due to the engagement between the locking surface of movement restricting portion 35 and the end face of terminal accommodating portion 11, further movement of holder 5 from the full locking position (in the opposite direction to the provisional locking position) is restricted, and holder 5 can be stably held in the full locking position.

[0028] Such a connector 1 includes a housing 3 and a holder 5 assembled to the housing 3 so as to be movable between a temporary locking position and a full locking position. Either the housing 3 or the holder 5 is provided with a plurality of projections 31 that engage with the other to hold the holder 5 at the temporary locking position and the full locking position. The plurality of projections 31 are provided with inclined surfaces 37, 37 on both sides in the movement direction of the holder 5.

[0029] Since the multiple protrusions 31 each have inclined surfaces 37, 37, there are multiple inclined surfaces 37 that can adjust the operating force of the holder 5 on both sides of the movement direction of the holder 5. If there are multiple inclined surfaces 37 in the movement direction of the holder 5, it is possible to delicately adjust the operating force of the holder 5 by changing the design of each inclined surface 37. Therefore, high machining precision is not required, and the operating force of the holder 5 can be easily adjusted.

[0030] Therefore, in such a connector 1, the operating force for the holder 5 can be easily adjusted.

[0031] Further, one of the housing 3 and the holder 5 is provided with a separation prevention portion 33 that engages with the other to prevent the holder 5 from separating from the housing 3 when the holder 5 is in the provisionally locked position.

[0032] Therefore, when the holder 5 is in the provisionally locked position, the detachment prevention portion 33 prevents the holder 5 from detaching from the housing 3, and the holder 5 can be stably held in the provisionally locked position.

[0033] Further, one of the housing 3 and the holder 5 is provided with a movement restricting portion 35 which engages with the other when the holder 5 is in the full locking position to restrict the holder 5 from moving in the opposite direction to the temporary locking position.

[0034] Therefore, when the holder 5 is in the full locking position, the movement restricting portion 35 prevents the holder 5 from moving in the opposite direction to the temporary locking position, and the holder 5 can be stably held in the full locking position.

[0035] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

[0036] For example, two protrusions are provided, but the number of protrusions is not limited thereto, and three or more protrusions may be provided. In addition, the inclination angle of the inclined surface of the protrusion is changed as an example of adjusting the operating force of the holder, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the design of the inclined surface may be changed in any manner to adjust the operating force of the holder, such as changing the length of the inclined surface by changing the protruding length of the protrusion, or changing the frictional force by applying a surface treatment to the inclined surface.

[0037] In addition, although the protrusion is provided on the holder, this is not limited thereto, and the protrusion may be provided on the housing. Similarly, although the separation prevention portion and the movement restriction portion are provided on the holder, this is not limited thereto, and the separation prevention portion and the movement restriction portion may be provided on the housing.

[0038] In addition, although the multiple protrusions are provided only on the holder, this is not limited thereto, and the multiple protrusions may be distributed across the holder and the housing, for example, one protrusion may be provided on the holder and another protrusion may be provided on the housing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1 Connector 3. Housing 5 Holder 31 Protrusion 33 Anti-detachment section 35 Movement Control Department 37 Slope

Claims

1. Housing and a holder that is assembled to the housing so as to be movable between a temporary locking position and a final locking position; Equipped with one of the housing and the holder is provided with a plurality of projections that engage with the other to hold the holder at a temporary locking position and a full locking position; A connector in which an inclined surface is provided on each of the plurality of protrusions on both sides in the moving direction of the holder.

2. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein one of the housing and the holder is provided with a separation prevention portion that engages with the other when the holder is in the temporary locking position to prevent the holder from separating from the housing.

3. A connector as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein one of the housing and the holder is provided with a movement restricting portion that engages with the other when the holder is in a full locking position to restrict the holder from moving in the opposite direction to the temporary locking position.

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