Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector in which a position of a position assurance member can be easily confirmed.SOLUTION: A connector 1 includes: a housing 2 that is configured to be connectable to a mating connector 10 and forms an insertion space 22 along a connection direction X; and a position assurance member 3 that is inserted into the insertion space 22 and is attached to the housing 2 so as to be movable in the connection direction X. The position assurance member 3 has: a main arm 33 extending in the connection direction X; and a pair of guide arms 32 extending in the connection direction X on both sides of the main arm 33. The housing 2 forms an insertion chamber 231 through which the guide arms 32 are inserted, and the insertion chamber 231 is formed to penetrate the housing 2 along the connection direction X.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, as a connector related to a connector, a connector having a connector position assurance function that is connected to a mating connector, as described in Patent Document 1, for example, has been known. This connector is equipped with a position assurance member that ensures a mated state with the mating connector. The position assurance member is attached to the connector and placed in a standby position. After the connector and the mating connector are mated, the position assurance member is moved in the mating direction, from the standby position to a mating lock position. If the position assurance member can be moved to the mating lock position, it is assured that the connector and the mating connector are properly mated. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-157454 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The connector described above has room for improvement in that it is difficult to confirm whether the position assurance member is properly positioned in the standby position. For example, if the connector position assurance member is not properly positioned in the standby position, the connector and the mating connector cannot be mated and connected. For this reason, there is a need for a connector that makes it easier to confirm the position of the position assurance member.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a connector in which the position of a position assurance member can be easily confirmed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In other words, the connector of the present invention comprises a housing that is configured to be connectable to a mating connector and that forms an insertion space along the connection direction, and a position assurance member that is inserted into the insertion space and is attached so as to be movable relative to the housing in the connection direction, the position assurance member having an engaging portion that extends in the connection direction and a pair of guide arms that extend in the connection direction on both sides of the engaging portion, the housing forming an insertion chamber through which the guide arms are inserted, and the insertion chamber is configured to be formed by passing through the housing along the connection direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the connector of the present invention, the position of the position assurance member can be easily confirmed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a housing in the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the mating connector. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a connection in a connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a connection in a connector according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that are easily replaceable by those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same.

[0010] [Embodiment] This embodiment relates to a connector. In the following description, of the first, second, and third directions that intersect with one another, the first direction is referred to as the "connection direction X," the second direction is referred to as the "width direction Y," and the third direction is referred to as the "height direction Z." Here, the connection direction X, width direction Y, and height direction Z are perpendicular to one another. The connection direction X corresponds to the connection or mating direction of the connector and the mating connector. The width direction Y corresponds to the width direction of the connector. The width direction Y and height direction Z correspond to orthogonal directions that are perpendicular to the connection direction X. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, each direction used in the following description represents the direction when the respective parts are assembled together. Note that orthogonal here includes nearly orthogonal.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a connector 1 according to this embodiment is a connector used by connecting to a mating connector 10, and has a CPA (Connector Position Assurance) function. The connector 1 includes a housing 2 and a position assurance member 3. Figures 1 and 2 show a state in which the connector 1 and the mating connector 10 are separated, and the housing 2 and the position assurance member 3 are also separated. The housing 2 is a member that mates with the mating connector 10, and is formed, for example, in a block shape. The housing 2 has installation holes 21 for arranging terminals. The installation holes 21 are formed along the connection direction X with the mating connector 10. A plurality of installation holes 21 are formed, and a plurality of installation holes 21 are arranged, for example, in the width direction Y. The installation holes 21 are formed by penetrating the housing 2 in the connection direction X, and are used to insert and hold terminals of terminal-attached electric wires (not shown).

[0012] The housing 2 defines an insertion space 22 above the area where the installation hole 21 is formed. The insertion space 22 is a space for inserting the position assurance member 3, and is formed, for example, between two side walls 23 spaced apart in the width direction Y of the housing 2. The side walls 23 are provided at the ends of the housing 2 in the width direction Y and are walls extending in the height direction Z and the connection direction X. In other words, the two side walls 23 define the insertion space 22. The sides of the insertion space 22 are partitioned by the side walls 23, but the top is open and does not have a ceiling. Therefore, the insertion space 22 can be seen from outside the housing 2. Therefore, the insertion position of the position assurance member 3 inserted into the insertion space 22 can be visually confirmed.

[0013] The side wall 23 has an insertion chamber 231 formed by recessing the inner surface in the width direction Y. The insertion chamber 231 is formed to penetrate the housing 2 along the connection direction X. The insertion chamber 231 is a space through which the guide arm 32 of the position assurance member 3 is inserted. The insertion chamber 231 is formed according to the size of the guide arm 32, and restricts the guide arm 32 from moving in the height direction Z and the width direction Y.

[0014] The housing 2 is provided with a locking arm 24. The locking arm 24 is a portion that engages with the mating connector 10 when the connector 1 and the mating connector 10 are connected. The locking arm 24 is provided, for example, in the insertion space 22, joined to the main body 20 of the housing 2 at the tip 2A side, and extends along the connecting direction X. The tip 2A of the housing 2 is the end in the connecting direction X and is the end that is inserted first into the mating connector 10.

[0015] The locking arm 24 is formed with a protrusion 241 and a pressing portion 242. The protrusion 241 is provided to protrude upward from the locking arm 24. When the connector 1 is connected to the mating connector 10, the protrusion 241 engages with a locked portion 123 (see FIG. 4) formed on the mating connector 10, locking the connector 1 to the mating connector 10. The pressing portion 242 is provided to rise upward at the rear end portion of the locking arm 24. When pressed downward, the pressing portion 242 bends the locking arm 24 downward, causing elastic deformation. This allows the locked state between the protrusion 241 and the locked portion 123 to be released.

[0016] A protrusion 243 is formed on the locking arm 24. The protrusion 243 is a portion that protrudes from the end of the locking arm 24 in the connection direction X. The protrusion 243 engages with the recess 311 of the position assurance member 3, thereby suppressing downward deformation of the locking arm 24 and suppressing unlocking due to pressing by the pressing portion 242. A cutout space 244 is formed on the locking arm 24. The cutout space 244 is a space into which the main arm 33 of the position assurance member 3 is inserted, and is formed by cutting out the lower central portion of the locking arm 24 along the connection direction X from the rear end 2B side to a position beyond the protrusion 241.

[0017] 3, the housing 2 is configured by, for example, attaching a front mask 201 and a spacer 202 to the main body 20. The front mask 201 is attached to the tip 2A of the main body 20. The spacer 202 is attached to the lower part of the main body 20.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the position assurance member 3 has a guide arm 32 and a main arm 33 protruding from a base 31 in the connection direction X. The base 31 is a plate-like portion that extends upward and is provided in a direction intersecting the connection direction X. Two guide arms 32 are provided, protruding from both ends of the base 31 in the width direction Y. The guide arm 32 is formed, for example, by joining a side portion 321 and a bottom portion 322 and has an L-shaped cross section. When the position assurance member 3 is attached to the housing 2, the side portion 321 of the guide arm 32 is inserted into the insertion chamber 231, and the bottom portion 322 is positioned along the floor surface 221 of the insertion space 22. The L-shaped cross section of the guide arm 32 prevents the position assurance member 3 from being erroneously attached to the housing 2 upside down, thereby preventing improper attachment of the position assurance member 3. Furthermore, this prevents a position assurance member other than the position assurance member 3 from being erroneously attached to the housing 2.

[0019] A groove 323 is formed in the side surface 321. The groove 323 is a long groove formed by recessing the outer surface of the side surface 321 and is formed toward the connection direction X. The groove 323 is a groove into which a protrusion 232 provided in the insertion chamber 231 of the housing 2 is inserted. When the position assurance member 3 is attached to the housing 2, the protrusion 232 is inserted into the groove 323. The position assurance member 3 is movable in the connection direction X relative to the housing 2 within a range in which the protrusion 232 moves within the groove 323. Furthermore, by inserting the protrusion 232 into the groove 323, the position assurance member 3 attached to the housing 2 is prevented from coming off the housing 2.

[0020] The main arm 33 is provided between the two guide arms 32 and protrudes in the connection direction X. The main arm 33 is an engaging portion that engages with the housing 2. A protrusion 331 is formed on the main arm 33. The protrusion 331 is a portion that engages with the protrusion 241 of the locking arm 24 of the housing 2. That is, when the position assurance member 3 is inserted into the housing 2 up to the temporary locking position (standby position), the protrusion 331 is located in front of the protrusion 241. When the connector 1 is properly connected to the mating connector 10, the position assurance member 3 can be inserted into the housing 2 up to the full locking position, allowing the connector 1 to recognize that the connector 1 is properly connected to the mating connector 10. At this time, when the position assurance member 3 is inserted, the protrusion 331 pushes up the locking arm 24 through the protrusion 241, and becomes movable under the protrusion 241 toward the front end 2A of the housing 2 relative to the protrusion 241. On the other hand, if connector 1 is not properly connected to mating connector 10, position assurance member 3 cannot be inserted into housing 2 to the full locking position. In other words, protrusion 331 cannot push up locking arm 24, and cannot move under projection 241 toward tip 2A relative to projection 241.

[0021] A recess 311 is formed in the base 31. The recess 311 is a portion formed by recessing the base 31 in the connection direction X. FIG. 2 shows the recess 311 formed to penetrate the base 31. When the position assurance member 3 is inserted into the housing 2 to the main locking position, the recess 311 allows the protrusion 243 of the locking arm 24 to be inserted into the recess 311. By inserting the protrusion 243 into the recess 311, the pressing portion 242 of the locking arm 24 cannot press, and therefore, the connector 1 is prevented from coming off the mating connector 10.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 4 , the mating connector 10 is cylindrical and configured so that the mating surface 11 is open and the connector 1 can be inserted into the internal space 12. A rib 121 is formed in the internal space 12. The rib 121 protrudes downward from the ceiling surface, for example, and extends in the connection direction X. The rib 121 is a portion for defining an insertion chamber 122 into which the side wall 23 of the connector 1 is inserted. A locked portion 123 is formed on the ceiling surface of the internal space 12. The locked portion 123 is a protrusion that engages with a protrusion 241 of the locking arm 24. The protrusion 241 is locked to the locked portion 123, thereby preventing the connector 1 from coming off the mating connector 10.

[0023] A plurality of terminals 13 are provided in the internal space 12. The terminals 13 are held by the mating connector 10, and are electrically connected to terminals provided on the connector 1 when the connector 1 is connected to the mating connector 10.

[0024] Next, the connection of the connector 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0025] As shown in Figure 5, the position assurance member 3 is attached to the housing 2. The position assurance member 3 is inserted into the housing 2 with the guide arm 32 at the front. The two guide arms 32 are inserted into the insertion chambers 231 and move along the insertion chambers 231. At this time, the insertion chambers 231 restrict movement of the guide arms 32 in directions intersecting the insertion direction. In other words, the insertion chambers 231 restrict movement of the guide arms 32 in the height direction Z and width direction Y. Therefore, the position assurance member 3 can move smoothly within the housing 2 along the connection direction X, and is attached to the housing 2 smoothly.

[0026] The position assurance member 3 is then inserted up to the temporary locking position. That is, the position assurance member 3 is positioned so that the protrusion 331 of the main arm 33 is positioned just before the projection 241. At this time, the insertion space 22 of the housing 2 does not have a ceiling, and the insertion chamber 231 is formed by recessing the side wall 23, so the guide arm 32 can be seen from outside the housing 2. Therefore, it can be visually confirmed whether the position assurance member 3 is positioned in the appropriate temporary locking position.

[0027] The insertion chamber 231 penetrates the housing 2 along the connection direction X. Therefore, it is possible to check whether the position assurance member 3 is positioned in the temporary-locking position using a tool or the like. For example, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5 , it is possible to check whether the position assurance member 3 is positioned in the temporary-locking position using a continuity checker 40. The continuity checker 40 is used to check for defects in multiple terminals (not shown) attached to the installation holes 21 of the housing 2. The continuity checker 40 has a detection arm 41 that can be inserted into the insertion chamber 231. When the continuity checker 40 is connected to the tip 2A of the housing 2, the detection arm 41 can be inserted into the insertion chamber 231 to check whether the position assurance member 3 is positioned in the proper temporary-locking position. In other words, the continuity checker 40 can detect the proper positioning of the terminals as well as the proper positioning of the position assurance member 3.

[0028] Once the position assurance member 3 is in the temporary locking position, the connector 1 is connected to the mating connector 10, as shown in FIG. 6. The connector 1 is inserted into the internal space 12 of the mating connector 10, with the tip 2A of the housing 2 first. Once the connector 1 is inserted into the mating connector 10, the position assurance member 3 is moved from the temporary locking position to the full locking position. That is, the position assurance member 3 is pushed into the housing 2 and moved to the full locking position. By successfully moving the position assurance member 3 to the full locking position, it is assured that the connector 1 is properly connected to the mating connector 10.

[0029] As described above, in the connector 1 of this embodiment, the guide arm 32 of the position assurance member 3 is inserted into the insertion chamber 231 that penetrates the housing 2, so that it is possible to confirm through the guide arm 32 that the position assurance member 3 is in the correct position.

[0030] Furthermore, in the connector 1 according to this embodiment, the insertion chamber 231 restricts movement of the guide arm 32 in a direction intersecting the insertion direction, so that the position assurance member 3 can be smoothly attached to the housing 2.

[0031] The connector according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. The connector according to this embodiment may be configured by appropriately combining the components of the above-described embodiments and modifications. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 1: Connector 2: Housing 3: Position assurance components 10: Mating connector 22: Insertion space 23: Side wall 32: Guide arm 33: Main arm (engagement part) 231: Insertion Room X: Connection direction

Claims

1. a housing configured to be connectable to a mating connector and forming an insertion space along a connection direction; a position assurance member that is inserted into the insertion space and attached to the housing so as to be movable in the connection direction, the position assurance member has an engaging portion extending in the connecting direction and a pair of guide arms extending in the connecting direction on both sides of the engaging portion, the housing forms an insertion chamber through which the guide arm is inserted; The insertion chamber is formed to penetrate the housing along the connection direction. connector.

2. The insertion chamber is formed by recessing a side wall of the housing that defines the insertion space, and restricts movement of the inserted guide arm in a direction intersecting the insertion direction. The connector according to claim 1 .

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