Connector
The connector design with cantilevered elastic locking portions and guided grooves enhances the workability of separating sub-housings by providing clear insertion points and directions, improving the separation process efficiency.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024013480
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-01-31
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-13
AI Technical Summary
The difficulty in determining the position and direction for inserting a release jig to separate stacked sub-housings in connectors results in poor workability.
A connector design featuring sub-housings with cantilevered elastic locking portions and guide grooves that include visible insertion ports, guided by the grooves to facilitate accurate insertion of a jig for separation, preventing accidental misinsertion.
Improves the workability of separating sub-housings by ensuring clear insertion positions and directions, reducing the likelihood of mistakes during the separation process.
Smart Images
Figure 2025118258000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to connectors. [Background technology]
[0002] Conventionally, stacked connectors have been known in which multiple sub-housings are stacked. The stacked sub-housings are held together by locking portions so that they do not separate. The stacked sub-housings are separated using a release jig, as described in, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3 listed below.
[0003] The release jig described in Patent Document 1 below has left and right release pins. An operator inserts the release pins of the release jig into the internal space of the locking arm of the stacked sub-housings. The locking portion is pressed by the release pins to release the lock. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-222399 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-25997 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-84672 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0005] However, in the above-described work of separating the sub-housings, it is sometimes difficult to determine the position and direction in which the jig should be inserted, resulting in poor workability.
[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector that can improve the workability of separating the sub-housing. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] The connector of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of sub-housings connected in the vertical direction, and adjacent sub-housings among the plurality of sub-housings in the vertical direction have locking portions that lock with each other to prevent the sub-housings from separating, and the locking portions have an elastic locking portion that extends cantilevered from one of the adjacent sub-housings toward the other sub-housing, and a locking receiving portion that is provided on the other sub-housing and locks with the elastic locking portion, and the sub-housings have a guide groove portion that has an insertion port that opens at a position corresponding to the extended end of the elastic locking portion on the front side of the side that mates with the mating connector or on the rear side opposite the side that mates with the mating connector, and extends from the insertion port toward the extended end of the elastic locking portion, and the rear side of the extending direction of the guide groove portion faces the extended end of the elastic locking portion. [Effects of the Invention]
[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a connector that can improve the workability of separating the sub-housing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the connector according to the present embodiment, showing how a plurality of sub-housings are housed in a frame in a connected state. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the sub-housing and the terminal fittings. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the sub-housing. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a side view showing the sub-housing. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a front view showing the sub-housing. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the locking portion in the locked state. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which a jig is inserted into the insertion port in the connected state. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged front view showing the socket. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged side view showing how the jig is inserted into the guide groove portion from the insertion port. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing how a jig is inserted into a guide groove portion from an insertion port. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the locking portion in the unlocked state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. [1] A connector according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of sub-housings connected vertically, wherein adjacent sub-housings among the plurality of sub-housings have locking portions that lock together to prevent the sub-housings from separating, the locking portions having a resilient locking portion extending cantilevered from one of the adjacent sub-housings toward the other sub-housing, and a locking receiving portion on the other sub-housing that is engaged with the resilient locking portion, the sub-housings having guide grooves, the guide grooves having insertion openings on a front surface of the sub-housing that mates with a mating connector or a rear surface opposite the mating connector, the insertion openings corresponding to the extending ends of the resilient locking portions, and the guide grooves extending from the insertion openings toward the extending ends of the resilient locking portions and facing the extending ends of the resilient locking portions. With this configuration, when separating the connected sub-housings, an operator inserts a jig into the insertion opening of the guide grooves. The jig is guided by the guide groove and inserted to the rear, where it comes into contact with the extended end of the elastic locking portion, disengaging the locking portion. The insertion position of the jig is clear because the insertion opening is visible, and the insertion direction of the jig is guided by the guide groove, improving the workability of the work of separating the sub-housing. [2] In the connector described in [1] above, the insertion port may be formed on the front surface of the connector that mates with the mating connector. With this configuration, since no wires are drawn out from the surface that mates with the mating connector, the operator can easily see the insertion port of the jig. This improves the workability of the work of separating the sub-housing. [3] In the connector described in [1] or [2] above, the sub-housing may have a protruding portion that protrudes beyond the extending end of the elastic locking portion of an adjacent sub-housing. This configuration prevents an operator from accidentally inserting a jig from the end of the elastic locking portion. Therefore, the operator can insert the jig into the insertion opening of the guide groove portion without any mistake.
[0011] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the connector of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.
[0012] [Embodiment 1] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the male connector 100 comprises a frame 101, a moving plate 102, a lever 103, a plurality of sub-connectors 10 in a connected state, and a locking portion 11. The state in which a plurality of sub-connectors 10 are connected is referred to as a connected state. The male connector 100 can be mated with a mating connector (not shown). The lever 103 can rotate around a shaft portion 104. The locking portion 11 prevents adjacent sub-connectors 10 from separating when connected.
[0013] In the following description of each component, the positive X-axis side in each drawing will be referred to as the front side, the negative X-axis side as the rear side, the positive Y-axis side as the left side, the negative Y-axis side as the right side, the positive Z-axis side as the top side, and the negative Z-axis side as the bottom side. The X-axis is parallel to the mating direction with the mating connector. The Z-axis is parallel to the connecting direction of the sub-connector 10. "Parallel" includes a state of being roughly parallel as well as a state of being strictly parallel. The direction references are for convenience only. For example, the bottom side does not necessarily coincide with the bottom side in the direction of gravity when the sub-connector 10 is mounted on a vehicle or the like (not shown).
[0014] The frame 101 has a rectangular cylindrical shape. Approximately the front half of the frame 101 is a hood portion 105. The hood portion 105 collectively surrounds the tabs 41 of the terminal fittings 40 (described later). The mating connector is fitted inside the hood portion 105. The mating of the mating connector and the male connector 100 proceeds by rotating the lever 103.
[0015] The moving plate 102 is disposed inside the hood portion 105. Before mating with the mating connector, the moving plate 102 is positioned forward and away from the rear face of the hood portion 105. The moving plate 102 positions the front end of the tab 41 of the terminal fitting 40. The moving plate 102 moves toward the rear side of the hood portion 105 when mated with the mating connector.
[0016] Approximately the rear half of the frame 101 is a connector accommodating portion 106. The connector accommodating portion 106 accommodates the sub-housing 20 in a connected state. The sub-housing 20 in a connected state accommodated in the connector accommodating portion 106 is prevented from being removed from the connector accommodating portion 106 by a locking structure (not shown).
[0017] The sub-connector 10 has a sub-housing 20 and terminal fittings 40. As shown in Figure 3, the sub-housing 20 accommodates a plurality of terminal fittings 40 therein. Each terminal fitting 40 has a tab 41, a terminal body 42, and a wire connection portion 43. The terminal fitting 40 has an elongated shape in the front-to-rear direction as a whole. The tab 41 extends forward from the terminal body 42. The terminal body 42 has a primary locking portion 44 and a secondary locking portion 45 (see Figure 2). The primary locking portion 44 is locked to the lance 29 of the sub-housing 20. The secondary locking portion 45 is locked to the retaining portion 31 of the adjacent sub-housing 20 above in the connected state. The wire connection portion 43 is crimped to the end portion of the electric wire 107.
[0018] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the sub-housing 20 has a housing main body 21, a protruding portion 22, an elastic locking portion 24, a lock receiving portion 25, a guide groove portion 50, and a closing portion 26.
[0019] The housing body 21 has a flat shape overall, with a small height relative to its depth in the front-to-rear direction and its width in the left-to-right direction. A plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 28 are formed in the housing body 21 and aligned in the left-to-right direction. As shown in FIG. 2, each terminal accommodating chamber 28 opens to both front and rear end surfaces of the sub-housing 20. Each terminal accommodating chamber 28 is formed with a lance 29 for preventing the terminal fitting 40 from falling out.
[0020] As shown in Fig. 3, a plurality of retaining portions 31 are provided on the lower surface 21S of the housing main body 21. The retaining portions 31 are protruding and are arranged at a predetermined pitch in the left-right direction. As shown in Fig. 4, an opening 32 is formed on the upper surface 21U of the housing main body 21. The opening 32 opens a portion of the terminal accommodating chamber 28 upward in the front-rear direction (see Fig. 2). In the connected state, each retaining portion 31 enters the terminal accommodating chamber 28 of the adjacent sub-housing 20 below through the opening 32.
[0021] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the protruding portions 22 are provided on both the left and right side surfaces of the housing main body 21 and protrude to the left and right. The protruding portions 22 extend linearly rearward from near the front end of the sub-housing 20. The rear end of the protruding portion 22 is located rearward of the center of the housing main body 21 in the front-to-rear direction. The lower surface of the protruding portion 22 is flush with the lower surface 21S of the housing main body 21. The protruding portion 22 can be inserted into a groove 106M formed in the connector accommodating portion 106 (see Figure 1).
[0022] 7, the elastic locking portion 24 and the lock receiving portion 25 constitute the locking portion 11. In the connected state, the elastic locking portion 24 is provided so as to extend in a cantilevered manner from the upper sub-housing 20 toward the lower sub-housing 20 of two vertically adjacent sub-housings 20. The lock receiving portion 25 is locked to the elastic locking portion 24 of the upper sub-housing 20.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 7 , the elastic locking portion 24 has an extension portion 58 and a protrusion 34. The extension portion 58 protrudes downward in a cantilevered manner from the lower surface of the overhanging portion 22. The protrusion 34 is provided at the lower end of the extension portion 58. The protrusion 34 protrudes inward in the left-right direction from the extension portion 58. In the connected state, the protrusion 34 engages with the lock receiving portion 25 of the sub-housing 20 adjacent to the lower side. In the connected state, the lower end of the elastic locking portion 24 is in close proximity to the overhanging portion 22 of the sub-housing 20 adjacent to the lower side. The overhanging portion 22 protrudes outward in the left-right direction beyond the elastic locking portion 24. In the connected state, the overhanging portion 22 of the sub-housing 20 adjacent to the lower side protrudes below the elastic locking portion 24. In the connected state, the elastic locking portion 24 is exposed outward in the left-right direction between the upper and lower overhanging portions 22.
[0024] As shown in Fig. 3, the elastic locking portions 24 are provided on both left and right ends of the housing main body 21. The elastic locking portions 24 are elastically deformable outward in the left-right direction. The elastic locking portions 24 are shaped like walls that are wide in the front-rear direction. The elastic locking portions 24 are provided in the front region of the sub-housing 20 (see Fig. 5).
[0025] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the locking receiving portions 25 are provided on both the left and right sides of the housing main body 21. The locking receiving portions 25 extend in the front-rear direction. The locking receiving portions 25 extend from near the front end of the sub-housing 20 to the blocking portion 26. The locking receiving portions 25 are provided above the protruding portions 22. The locking receiving portions 25 protrude outward in the left-right direction on the left and right side surfaces of the sub-housing 20. The lower surface of the locking receiving portions 25 is a locking surface 56 that engages with the elastic locking portions 24, as shown in Figure 7. The upper surface of the locking receiving portions 25 is an inclined surface 57 that inclines outward in the left-right direction from the top toward the locking surface 56.
[0026] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the guide groove portion 50 is provided on both the left and right sides of the sub-housing 20. The guide groove portion 50 has an upper guide surface 53, a lower guide surface 54, and a guide side surface 55. The upper guide surface 53 is formed by the lower surface (locking surface 56) of the locking receiving portion 25. The lower guide surface 54 is formed by the upper surface of the protruding portion 22. The guide side surface 55 stands in the vertical direction between the lower surface of the locking receiving portion 25 and the upper surface of the protruding portion 22. The guide groove portion 50 extends rearward from the front surface of the sub-housing 20. The rear end of the guide groove portion 50 is located at approximately the same position as the rear end of the elastic locking portion 24 in the front-to-rear direction.
[0027] 8 to 10, the guide groove portion 50 has an insertion opening 51 for inserting the jig J on its front surface (the surface that mates with the mating connector). The insertion opening 51 is the front end of the guide groove portion 50 and opens forward. In the connected state, the insertion opening 51 is provided in the same position as the protrusion 34 of the elastic locking portion 24 in the locked state.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 11 , the guide groove portion 50 has a guide surface 52. The guide surface 52 is provided at the front end of the guide groove portion 50. The guide surface 52 is part of a guide side surface 55. The guide surface 52 is inclined outward in the left-right direction from the insertion port 51 toward the rear. The left-right width dimension of the guide groove portion 50 increases from the rear end of the guide surface 52 toward the insertion port 51. The left-right width of the insertion port 51 is made wider by the guide surface 52 than the back side of the guide groove portion 50. The rear end of the guide surface 52 is located rearward of the front end of the elastic locking portion 24.
[0029] As shown in Figure 4, the blocking portions 26 are provided at the rear end of the housing main body 21. One blocking portion 26 is provided behind each of the left and right guide groove portions 50. The blocking portions 26 have a flat surface that forms the rear surface of the sub-housing 20. The flat surface of the blocking portion 26 is flush with the periphery of the rear end opening of the terminal accommodating chamber 28.
[0030] Next, an example of the operation of separating the sub-housing 20 will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, the worker inserts a jig J into the connected sub-housing 20 from the front. The worker may use a flat-head screwdriver or the like as the jig J. The front surface of the sub-housing 20 is not hidden by the electric wires 107, so the worker can easily see the insertion port 51. The lower part of the elastic locking portion 24 is covered by the overhanging portion 22, so the worker is prevented from accidentally inserting the jig J between the lower end of the elastic locking portion 24 and the overhanging portion 22. The rear of the guide groove portion 50 is blocked by the blocking portion 26, so the worker can insert the jig J into the guide groove portion 50 only through the insertion port 51.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 11 , the tip of the jig J inserted into the insertion port 51 is guided along the guide surface 52 to the inside of the protrusion 34 of the elastic locking portion 24. The jig J enters between the guide side surface 55 and the protrusion 34 of the elastic locking portion 24 and presses the protrusion 34 of the elastic locking portion 24 outward in the left-right direction. As a result, the elastic locking portion 24 elastically deforms outward in the left-right direction and disengages from the lock receiving portion 25, as shown in FIG. 12 . The protrusion 34 of the elastic locking portion 24 is guided upward along the inclined surface 57 of the lock receiving portion 25, and the upper sub-housing 20 moves upward away from the lower sub-housing 20. The operator can easily separate the sub-housings 20 by inserting the jig J into the left and right insertion ports 51 in order. This completes the sub-housing 20 separation operation.
[0032] Next, the operation and effect of the embodiment configured as described above will be described. The male connector 100 includes multiple sub-housings 20 connected in the vertical direction. Vertically adjacent sub-housings 20 among the multiple sub-housings 20 have locking portions 11 that lock together to prevent the sub-housings 20 from separating. The locking portions 11 include elastic locking portions 24 and locking receiving portions 25. The elastic locking portions 24 extend cantilever-like from the upper sub-housing 20 to the lower sub-housing 20 among the adjacent sub-housings 20. The locking receiving portion 25 is provided on the lower sub-housing 20 and is locked by the elastic locking portions. The sub-housings 20 include a guide groove 50. The guide groove 50 includes an insertion opening 51. The insertion opening 51 opens on the front surface of the sub-housing 20 at a position corresponding to the extending end of the elastic locking portion 24. The guide groove 50 extends from the insertion opening 51 toward the tip of the elastic locking portion 24. The inner side (rear side) of the guide groove portion 50 in the extending direction faces the extending end portion of the elastic locking portion 24 .
[0033] According to this configuration, when separating the connected sub-housings 20, the worker inserts the jig J into the insertion port 51 of the guide groove portion 50. The jig J is guided by the guide groove portion 50 and inserted to the back side, where it comes into contact with the tip of the elastic locking portion 24 and releases the locking portion 11. The insertion position of the jig J is clear because the insertion port 51 is visible, and the insertion direction of the jig J is guided by the guide groove portion 50, so the workability of the work of separating the sub-housings 20 can be improved.
[0034] The insertion port 51 is formed on the front surface of the side that mates with the mating connector. With this configuration, the wires 107 are not drawn out onto the surface that mates with the mating connector, so the worker can easily see the insertion port 51 of the jig J. This improves the workability of separating the sub-housing 20.
[0035] The sub-housing 20 has a protruding portion 22 that protrudes below the tip of the elastic locking portion 24. This configuration prevents the worker from accidentally inserting the jig J from below the elastic locking portion 24. Therefore, the worker can insert the jig J into the insertion port 51 of the guide groove portion 50 without any mistakes.
[0036] [Another embodiment of the present disclosure] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. In the above embodiment, the socket 51 is formed on the front surface of the sub-housing 20, but in other embodiments, the socket may be formed on the rear surface of the sub-housing. In this case, the locking portion may be provided in the rear region of the sub-housing. In the above embodiment, the rear end of the guide groove portion 50 extends to the rear end of the elastic locking portion 24, but in other embodiments, the guide groove portion does not have to extend to the rear end of the elastic locking portion, for example, the rear end of the guide groove portion may be located slightly forward of the front end of the elastic locking portion. In the above embodiment, the guide groove portion 50 has the guide surface 52, but in other embodiments, the guide groove portion may not have a guide surface. In the above embodiment, the protruding portion 22 protrudes below the elastic locking portion 24 of the other connected sub-connector 10, but in other embodiments, the protruding portion does not have to protrude below the elastic locking portion. [Explanation of symbols]
[0037] 10...Sub-connector 11...Latching part 20...Sub-housing 21...Housing main body 21S…bottom surface 21U…Top surface 22...Protrusion 24...Elastic locking part 25...Latching receiving part 26...Blocked section 28...Terminal chamber 29…Lance 31...Retaining part 32...Opening 34...Protrusion 40...Terminal fitting 41...Tab 42...Terminal body 43... Wire connection part 44...Primary locking part 45...Secondary locking part 50...Guide groove 51...Outlet 52...Guide surface 53...Top surface of guide 54...Guide bottom 55...Guide side 56...Latching surface 57…Slope surface 58...Extending part 100...Male connector 101...Frame 102...Moving plate 103...Lever 104...Shaft 105...Hood section 106...Connector housing 106M…Groove 107...Electric wire J...jig
Claims
1. A plurality of sub-housings are connected in the vertical direction, Vertically adjacent sub-housings among the plurality of sub-housings have locking portions that lock together to prevent the sub-housings from separating from each other, the locking portion includes an elastic locking portion extending in a cantilevered manner from one of the adjacent sub-housings toward the other sub-housing, and a lock receiving portion provided on the other sub-housing and locked by the elastic locking portion, The sub-housing has a guide groove portion, The guide groove portion has an insertion port that opens at a position corresponding to the extended end of the elastic locking portion on the front surface of the side that mates with the mating connector or on the rear surface opposite the side that mates with the mating connector, and extends from the insertion port toward the extended end of the elastic locking portion, facing the extended end of the elastic locking portion.
2. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the insertion port is formed on a front surface on a side that mates with the mating connector.
3. 3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the sub-housing has a protruding portion that protrudes beyond the extending end of the elastic locking portion of another adjacent sub-housing.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Connector housing separating fixture
JP2005025997A
Assembly releasing tool
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Release jig for laminate connector
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