connector

Abstract

The present invention provides a connector that can suppress the generation of abnormal noise while ensuring the sliding properties of the mating detection member. [Solution] The connector 1 includes a housing 2 that holds terminals and is matable with a mating connector 90, and is mated with the mating housing 91 by engaging a locking portion 26 with a locking portion 92 provided on the mating housing 91 and locking it, and a mating detection member 3 that is assembled to the housing 2 and is movable relative to the housing 2 along the mating direction between a temporary locking position and a permanent locking position, the mating detection member 3 has a projection 33 that protrudes toward the housing 2 in a direction intersecting the mating direction, and a cavity 34 formed behind the projection 33, the cavity 34 is configured to allow the projection 33 to move toward the cavity 34 when the projection 33 is in contact with the housing 2.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a connector, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, there is known a connector having a detection member that is assembled to a housing and can move relative to the housing in the fitting direction and the detachment direction between a temporary locking position and a main locking position. In this connector, when the housing-side locking portion and the housing-side engaged portion are in contact in the fitting direction, the protrusion on the main body portion side of the detection member abuts against the housing in the opposing direction, and the end portion on the locking wall portion side of the detection member abuts against the locking wall portion of the housing in the opposing direction, thereby restricting the movement of the detection member in the opposing direction at the main locking position and suppressing the generation of abnormal noise due to the collision between the detection member and the housing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The above-described connector has room for improvement in that the detection member may be difficult to slide. That is, in the above-described connector, the detection member may be difficult to slide when it abuts strongly against the housing. Conversely, if the abutment of the detection member against the housing is insufficient, it becomes difficult to suppress abnormal noise.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector that can ensure the slidability of the fitting detection member while suppressing the generation of abnormal noise.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In other words, the connector according to the present invention comprises a housing that holds terminals and is matable with a mating connector, and is mated with the mating housing by engaging a locking portion with a locking portion provided on the mating housing and locking it; and a mating detection member that is assembled to the housing and is movable relative to the housing along the mating direction between a temporary locking position and a permanent locking position, wherein the mating detection member has a projection that protrudes toward the housing in a direction intersecting the mating direction, and a cavity formed behind the projection, and the cavity is configured to allow the projection to move toward the cavity when the projection is in contact with the housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the connector of the present invention, it is possible to ensure the sliding properties of the mating detection member while suppressing the generation of abnormal noise. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a plan view of the mating detection member of the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of the cavity and protrusions in the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the connection between the connector and the mating connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the connection between the connector and the mating connector according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. Furthermore, some of the components in the following embodiments are substituted or substantially identical to those easily substituted by those skilled in the art.

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

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the connector 1 according to this embodiment is a connector used to connect to a mating connector 90 and is equipped with a connector position guarantee function. The connector 1 is composed of a housing 2 and a mating detection member 3. Figures 1 and 2 show the connector 1 separated from the mating connector 10, with the mating detection member 3 separated from the housing 2 in the connector 1, indicating the state before assembly to the housing 2.

[0012] The housing 2 is a component that holds terminals attached to electric wires and is fitted into the mating connector 90, and for example has a main body portion 20 formed in a block shape. The main body portion 20 has a plurality of insertion holes 21. The insertion holes 21 are holes into which electric wires with terminals (not shown) are inserted, and are formed along the connection direction X. The electric wire portion of the electric wire with terminals inserted into the insertion holes 21 extends to the rear of the housing 2.

[0013] The main body portion 20 forms a mating space 22 and an assembly space 23. The mating space 22 is a space in which the mating connector 90 is inserted and mated, and is formed by recessing the surface facing the mating connector 90 along the connection direction X. For example, a cylindrical hood portion 24 is formed on the mating connector 90 side of the main body portion 20, and the mating space 22 is formed inside the area surrounded by the hood portion 24. In addition, a terminal housing portion 25 is provided in the mating space 22. The terminal housing portion 25 is a portion for housing terminals, and has a housing hole that communicates with the insertion hole 21.

[0014] The assembly space 23 is a space for assembling the mating detection member 3, and is formed, for example, above the terminal housing portion 25 in the height direction Z. The assembly space 23 is formed, for example, by penetrating the main body portion 20 in the connection direction X, and communicates with the mating space 22 on the mating connector 90 side of the main body portion 20. The mating connector 90 side of the main body portion 20 is the tip side of the main body portion 20 and housing 2 when connected to the mating connector 90. The assembly space 23 is surrounded by the hood portion 24 on the mating connector 90 side of the main body portion 20, and is a space with an open ceiling on the opposite side of the mating connector 90 side. In other words, the assembly space 23 is a space surrounded by two side walls 231 and a floor portion 232 on the opposite side of the mating connector 90 side of the main body portion 20, with an open ceiling.

[0015] The housing 2 is provided with a locking portion 26. The locking portion 26 is a member that engages with a locking portion 92 of the mating connector 90 to lock the mating of the connector 1 and the mating connector 90. For example, the locking portion 26 engages with the locking portion 92 when the connector 1 and the mating connector 90 are in a fully mated state, and locks the mating of the connector 1 and the mating connector 90 so that the engagement can be released. Here, a fully mated state refers to a state in which the connector 1 and the mating connector 90 are mated and their terminals are physically and electrically connected.

[0016] The locking portion 26 is provided in the assembly space 23 and is supported or fixed, for example, to the floor portion 232, and extends toward the mating connector 90 along the connection direction X. For example, the locking portion 26 has two first arm portions 261 spaced apart in the width direction Y and extending from the floor portion 232 toward the mating connector 90 along the connection direction X, and a locking portion 262 that extends in the width direction Y and connects the two first arm portions 261. The locking portion 262 is the part that engages with the locked portion 92 of the mating connector 90. The first arm portions 261 flex in the height direction Z when the connector 1 and the mating connector 90 are fitted together, thereby allowing the locking portion 262 to overcome the locked portion 92 and enabling engagement between the locking portion 262 and the locked portion 92.

[0017] The locking portion 26 further includes a second arm portion 264 and a release portion 265. The second arm portion 264 is joined to the first arm portion 261 at the position on the mating connector 90 side and extends along the connection direction X to the opposite side of the mating connector 90. Two second arm portions 264 are provided, each formed on the outside of the first arm portion 261 in the width direction Y. The release portion 265 is installed between the ends of the two second arm portions 264 that are opposite to the mating connector 90 side.

[0018] The fitting detection member 3 is a member that detects the fitting state between the connector 1 and the mating connector 90, and is assembled to be able to move relative to the housing 2 in the fitting direction and the detachment direction between the temporary locking position and the main locking position. The fitting detection member 3 functions as a fitting guarantee member that guarantees proper fitting (complete fitting state) by moving to the main locking position. Proper fitting means a state where the connector 1 and the mating connector 90 are in a completely fitted state. The main locking position is a position where the fitting detection member 3 can move in the fitting direction with respect to the housing 2 when the fitting state between the connector 1 and the mating connector 90 is in the complete fitting state. Therefore, when the fitting detection member 3 moves to the main locking position, proper fitting between the connector 1 and the mating connector 90 is guaranteed. The temporary locking position is a position separated from the main locking position in the connection direction X. For example, it is a position where the fitting detection member 3 has moved in the detachment direction compared to the main locking position. The fitting direction and the detachment direction are directions along the connection direction X and are different from each other.

[0019] The fitting detection member 3 has, for example, a main body portion 31, a detection arm 32, a protrusion 33, and a cavity 34. The main body portion 31 is the main body part of the fitting detection member 3 and has, for example, an operation portion 311 and a guide portion 312. The operation portion 311 is a portion used when operating the fitting detection member 3 and is formed to rise in the height direction Z. The operation portion 311 is supported by the housing 2 so as to be able to move or slide in the connection direction X between the two side wall portions 231. The guide portion 312 is joined to the operation portion 311 and extends along the connection direction X from the operation portion 311 toward the mating connector 90 side, and two are provided spaced apart in the width direction Y.

[0020] The detection arm 32 is an arm-shaped member that allows the fitting detection member 3 to move to its main locking position when the connector 1 and the mating connector 90 are in a fully fitted state, and restricts the movement of the fitting detection member 3 to its main locking position when the connector 1 and the mating connector 90 are not in a fully fitted state. The detection arm 32 is joined to the main body 31, for example, and extends along the connection direction X from the main body 31 toward the mating connector 90 side. The detection arm 32 is joined to the central position of the main body 31 in the width direction Y, for example, and is provided between the two guide portions 312.

[0021] The detection arm 32 is a plate-shaped member extending in the connection direction X, and has a tip portion 321 formed thick in the height direction Z. The tip portion 321 is formed thick so as to protrude downward compared to the other portions of the detection arm 32. Therefore, when the fitting detection member 3 moves in the connection direction X, the detection arm 32 has a structure in which the tip portion 321 is likely to come into contact, such as when there is a member that becomes an obstacle in front of the moving direction.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a protrusion 33 is formed on the fitting detection member 3. The protrusion 33 is a portion protruding toward the housing 2, and protrudes, for example, from the side surface of the main body 31 in the width direction Y. The protrusion 33 is formed longer in the height direction Z than in the connection direction X, for example. The protrusion 33 abuts against the inner surface of the side wall portion 231 in a state where the fitting detection member 3 is assembled to the assembly space 23. By the protrusion 33 abutting against the side wall portion 231, it is suppressed that a gap is formed between the housing 2 and the fitting detection member 3, and rattling between the housing 2 and the fitting detection member 3 is suppressed.

[0023] A cavity 34 is formed in the fitting detection member 3. The cavity 34 is a space or gap formed behind the projection 33, and allows the projection 33 to move toward the cavity 34 when the projection 33 is in contact with the housing 2. The cavity 34 is provided by forming a space in the main body portion 31 behind the projection 33. Behind the projection 33 is the back of the projection 33, which is the area of ​​the main body portion 31 opposite to the side from which the projection 33 protrudes. The thickness T of the main body portion 31 between the cavity 34 and the projection 33 is set so that the projection 33 can move toward the cavity 34 when the projection 33 is in contact with the housing 2.

[0024] For example, the cavity 34 is formed as a hole that penetrates the main body 31 along a direction intersecting the direction in which the projection 33 abuts. Specifically, the cavity 34 is formed as a hole that penetrates the main body 31 along the height direction Z. Furthermore, the cavity 34 is formed with a rectangular cross-sectional shape in the direction intersecting the height direction Z. Here, the rectangle includes a substantially rectangular shape. In addition, the cavity 34 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape that is longer in the connection direction X than in the width direction Y. This makes the portion of the main body 31 between the cavity 34 and the projection 33 more flexible, and makes it easier for the projection 33 to move in the width direction Y. By forming the cavity 34 as a hole that penetrates the main body 31, it is possible to create a structure that is less prone to damage compared to the case where the projection 33 is provided on a cantilevered arm member. The cavity 34 allows the projection 33 to elastically abut against the housing 2 by allowing the movement of the projection 33. In other words, even if there are dimensional variations in the housing 2 and the mating detection member 3 due to manufacturing tolerances, the connector 1 can properly contact the housing 2 with the projection 33, preventing a gap from forming between the mating detection member 3 and the housing 2, and preventing the projection 33 from being excessively pressed against the housing 2.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the mating connector 90 has a mating housing 91. The mating housing 91 is formed in a cylindrical or block shape and is a component that holds terminals attached to electric wires and mates with the connector 1. The mating connector 90 has a locking portion 92, a protruding portion 93, and an insertion portion 94. The locking portion 92 is the part that engages with the locking portion 26 of the connector 1 and is formed, for example, to protrude from the surface of the mating housing 91. The locking portion 92 has, for example, an inclined surface on the connector 1 side and is formed in a shape that makes it easy for the locking portion 26 and the detection arm 32 to move over it.

[0026] The protrusion 93 is formed to protrude from the surface of the mating housing 91. The protrusion 93 is spaced apart from the locking portion 92 on the side opposite to the connector 1. Between the protrusion 93 and the locking portion 92, the locking portion 262 of the locking portion 62 is positioned and engaged when the connector 1 and the mating connector 90 are fitted together. For example, the protrusion 93 has an inclined surface formed on the side opposite to the connector 1, and is shaped in such a way that the tip portion 321 of the detection arm 32, which has gone over the protrusion 93, can easily ride up towards the connector and return.

[0027] The insertion section 94 is a hole for inserting a terminal-equipped electric wire (not shown), and is formed along the connection direction X. The electric wire portion of the terminal-equipped electric wire inserted into the insertion section 94 extends to the rear of the mating housing 91.

[0028] Next, the connection between connector 1 and the mating connector 90 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0029] As shown in Figure 5, the connection between connector 1 and mating connector 90 begins with the assembly of the mating detection member 3 to the housing 2 in connector 1. The mating detection member 3 is assembled into the assembly space 23 of the housing 2 with the detection arm 32 facing the mating connector 90. The mating detection member 3 is positioned in a temporary locking position. At this time, as shown in Figure 3, the mating detection member 3 is provided with a projection 33. Because the projection 33 is in contact with the housing 2, the formation of a gap between the housing 2 and the mating detection member 3 is suppressed.

[0030] Then, as shown in Figure 5, the mating process between connector 1 and mating connector 90 is performed. Specifically, the mating housing 91 of the mating connector 90 is inserted into the mating space 22 inside the hood portion 24 of connector 1. As the mating housing 91 is inserted further into the mating space 22, the locking portion 26 of connector 1 engages with the locking portion 92 of the mating connector 90, and the housing 2 and the mating housing 91 are mated and locked together.

[0031] Then, as shown in Figure 6, the fitting detection member 3 is moved. That is, the fitting detection member 3 is moved from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position. At this time, as described above, the projection 33 of the fitting detection member 3 is in contact with the housing 2, but excessive contact is suppressed, so the sliding properties of the fitting detection member 3 are good. That is, as shown in Figure 4, the projection 33 is in contact with the side wall 231 of the housing 2, but because a cavity 34 is formed, the projection 33 moves toward the cavity 34 due to the reaction force of the contact. Therefore, excessive pressing force of the projection 33 against the housing 2 is suppressed. For example, even if there are dimensional variations in the manufacturing of the housing 2 and the fitting detection member 3, the projection 33 can be properly brought into contact with the housing 2. Therefore, the connector 1 can suppress play between the housing 2 and the mating detection member 3 with the projection 33, while suppressing wear of the projection 33 due to the movement of the mating detection member 3, thereby suppressing an increase in the sliding force of the mating detection member 3 and preventing the mating detection member 3 from becoming difficult to move.

[0032] Then, in Figure 6, once the mating detection member 3 moves from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position, the connector 1 and the mating connector 90 are fully mated, and the connection between the connector 1 and the mating connector 90 is completed. Even if vibration is applied to the connector 1 in this state, the projection 33 prevents the formation of a gap between the connector 1 and the mating connector 90. Therefore, the connector 1 can suppress the generation of abnormal noise due to collision between the housing 2 and the mating detection member 3.

[0033] Incidentally, if the mating detection member 3 cannot move from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position, the connector 1 can confirm that the connector 1 and the mating connector 90 are not fully mated. For example, if the connector 1 and the mating connector 90 are not sufficiently mated, and the locking portion 26 of the housing 2 has not overcome the locked portion 92 of the mating connector 90 but is instead riding on the locked portion 92, the mating detection member 3 cannot be moved to the permanent locking position. In such a case, since the connector 1 and the mating connector 90 are not fully mated, the mating process between the connector 1 and the mating connector 90 should be repeated, and then the mating detection member 3 should be moved to complete the connection between the connector 1 and the mating connector 90.

[0034] As described above, in this embodiment, the connector 1 allows the projection 33 to move by the cavity 34, thereby enabling the projection 33 to properly contact the housing 2. Therefore, in this embodiment, the connector 1 can suppress looseness between the housing 2 and the mating detection member 3 by the projection 33, while also preventing the mating detection member 3 from becoming difficult to move due to an increase in the sliding force of the mating detection member 3.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the connector 1 is structured such that even if a cavity 34 is formed in the mating detection member 3, the mating detection member 3 is less likely to be damaged, because the cavity 34 is formed in the mating detection member 3 as a hole that penetrates the mating detection member 3.

[0036] It should be noted that the connector according to the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. The connector according to this embodiment may be constructed by appropriately combining the components of each embodiment and modification described above.

[0037] For example, in the embodiment described above, a connector 1 was described in which the locking portion 26 of the connector 1 engages with the locked portion 92 of the mating connector 90 to maintain the mated state of the housing 2 and the mating housing 91. However, the structure or shape of the locking portion and the locked portion may differ from that of the locking portion 26 and the locked portion 92, as long as they can maintain the mated state of the housing 2 and the mating housing 91. Even in this case, if the mating detection member 3 has a projection 33 and a cavity 34, as in the embodiment described above, the projection 33 can suppress rattling between the housing 2 and the mating detection member 3, while also preventing an increase in the sliding force of the mating detection member 3, which would make it difficult to move the mating detection member 3. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1: Connector 2: Housing 3: Fitting detection member 26: Locking part 33:Protrusion 34: Cavity 90: Mating connector 91: Opposing Housing 92:Locked part

Claims

1. A housing that holds terminals and is matable with a mating connector, and is mated with the mating housing by engaging a locking portion with a locking portion provided on the mating housing and locking it, The housing is fitted with a fitting detection member which is movable relative to the housing along the fitting direction between a temporary locking position and a permanent locking position, The fitting detection member has a projection that protrudes toward the housing in a direction intersecting the fitting direction, and a cavity formed behind the projection, The cavity allows the projection to move toward the cavity while it is in contact with the housing. connector.

2. The aforementioned cavity is formed as a hole that penetrates the fitting detection member in a direction intersecting the direction in which the projection abuts. The connector according to claim 1.

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