connector

Abstract

The present invention provides a connector that can suppress misalignment of the meshing positions of gear parts. [Solution] The connector 1 comprises a first housing 2, a second housing 3 that can be fitted to the first housing 2, a lever 4 rotatably supported by the second housing 3, a rack gear portion 30 formed in the first housing 2, and a transmission gear portion 50 formed in the lever 4. The lever 4 is configured to move the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 relative to each other in the fitting direction when rotated while the rack gear portion 30 and the transmission gear portion 50 are engaged. Of the multiple rack teeth 31 of the rack gear portion 30, the tooth width W1 of the first rack tooth 33 that first engages with the transmission gear portion 50 is formed to be larger than the tooth width W2 of the other second rack teeth 35 excluding the first rack tooth 33. Of the multiple tooth grooves 51 of the transmission gear portion 50, a notch 59 is formed at the outer end in the tooth width direction of the first tooth groove 53 that engages with the first rack tooth 33.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a connector, there is known one including a first housing, a second housing that can be fitted to the first housing, and a slide member that can move relatively along the connector fitting direction with respect to the first housing (see Patent Document 1). This connector includes a transmission gear member pivotally supported on a support shaft provided on the first housing, a first rack gear portion provided on the slide member along the connector fitting direction, and a second rack gear portion provided on the second housing along the connector fitting direction.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, the gear portions of the transmission members are configured to mesh with the rack gear portions. However, if the meshing positions of the gear portions shift, the two housings may not be fully fitted and may be in a semi-fitted state.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the problems of such conventional technologies. And an object of the present invention is to provide a connector capable of suppressing the shift of the meshing positions of the gear portions.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A connector according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a first housing, a second housing that can be fitted to the first housing, an operating member rotatably supported by the second housing, a rack gear portion formed in the first housing, and a transmission gear portion formed in the operating member, wherein the operating member is rotated while the rack gear portion and the transmission gear portion are meshed, thereby moving the first housing and the second housing relative to each other in the fitting direction, wherein the tooth width of the first rack tooth that first meshes with the transmission gear portion when the first housing and the second housing are fitted is formed to be larger than the tooth width of the other second rack teeth excluding the first rack tooth, and among the multiple tooth grooves of the transmission gear portion, a wall portion is formed at the outer end in the tooth width direction of the other second tooth grooves excluding the first tooth groove that meshes with the first rack tooth, and a notch is formed at the outer end in the tooth width direction of the first tooth groove. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector that can suppress misalignment of the meshing positions of gear parts. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing an example of a connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an exploded perspective view of the connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the initial state of mating between the first housing and the second housing. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing an enlarged view of the main part of Figure 3. [Figure 5] This is a schematic perspective view of the rack gear section formed in the first housing. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view of the lever with the transmission gear section formed within it. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view showing an enlarged view of the main part of Figure 6. [Figure 8] This is a magnified perspective view of the main part of a connector showing a state where the rack gear section and the transmission gear section interfere with each other and cannot mesh. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The connector according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for illustrative purposes and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing connector 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of connector 1 shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the mating start state of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing an enlarged view of the main part of Figure 3.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the connector 1 according to this embodiment comprises a first housing 2, a second housing 3, and an operating member (lever 4).

[0012] The first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are fitted together along a predetermined longitudinal direction X. The longitudinal direction X is the axial direction of the first housing 2 and the fitting direction in which the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are fitted together. The width direction of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 is simply referred to as the "width direction Y," and the height direction of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 is simply referred to as the "height direction Z." The width direction Y is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and the height direction Z is perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction X and the width direction Y.

[0013] The first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are fitted together by butting their respective ends together.

[0014] The first housing 2 is, for example, a male connector housing. The first housing 2 has a first main body portion 11 formed in a cylindrical shape. A first terminal 12 is held in the first main body portion 11. A plurality (two in this embodiment) of the first terminals 12 are arranged at intervals in the width direction Y. Further, the first housing 2 has a flange portion 13 that is fixed to a housing of a device or the like, and a plurality of collars 14 are held in the flange portion 13. Furthermore, a rack gear portion 30 to be described later and a guide groove portion 15 (see FIG. 2) extending along the fitting direction (front-rear direction X) of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are formed in the first main body portion 11.

[0015] The second housing 3 is, for example, a female connector housing. The second housing 3 has a second main body portion 21 formed in a cylindrical shape. A second terminal (not shown) is accommodated inside the second main body portion 21, and an electric wire W connected to the second terminal is led out from the second main body portion 21. A plurality (two in this embodiment) of the second terminals are arranged at intervals in the width direction Y, and the electric wires W connected to the respective second terminals extend along the height direction Z. The space between the second main body portion 21 and the electric wire W is sealed by a packing (not shown), and the end portion of the second main body portion 21 is closed by a packing holder 23.

[0016] Hood portions 24 are respectively formed on both sides in the width direction Y of the second main body portion 21 of the second housing 3. Inside the hood portions 24, a guide rail portion 25 (see FIG. 2) that extends along the fitting direction (front-rear direction X) of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 and with which the guide groove portion 15 is engaged is formed. Further, shaft portions 26 are respectively formed on both sides in the width direction Y of the second main body portion 21 of the second housing 3.

[0017] When the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are fitted together, the guide groove portion 15 and the guide rail portion 25 are engaged with each other, and the fitting of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 is guided by these guide groove portion 15 and guide rail portion 25.

[0018] In this embodiment, a guide groove portion 15 is formed in the first housing 2, and a guide rail portion 25 is formed in the second housing 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a guide rail portion may be formed in the first housing 2 and a guide groove portion may be formed in the second housing 3.

[0019] The lever 4 as an operating member includes a rotation operation portion 41 and an operation lever portion 42. The rotation operation portion 41 is rotatably supported by a shaft portion 26 formed in the second main body portion 21 of the second housing 3. A through hole portion 43 through which the shaft portion 26 is inserted and a transmission gear portion 50 described later are formed in the rotation operation portion 41. The operation lever portion 42 is connected to the rotation operation portion 41 and is rotationally operated to fit the first housing 2 and the second housing 3.

[0020] A detection member 5 may be attached to the lever 4. The detection member 5 is a member that detects that the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are completely fitted. The connector 1 according to the present embodiment can realize fitting assurance (CPA: Connector Position Assurance) by the detection member 5. After the lever 4 is rotationally operated to fit the first housing 2 and the second housing 3, the detection member 5 is slid from a temporary locking position (see FIG. 3) to a main locking position (see FIG. 1). The main locking position is a detection position indicating that the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are completely fitted.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a rack gear portion 30 formed in the first housing 2. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lever 4 in which a transmission gear portion 50 is formed. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an enlarged main part of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the connector 1 showing a state where the rack gear portion 30 and the transmission gear portion 50 interfere with each other and cannot mesh.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 5, the rack gear portion 30 has a plurality of rack teeth 31. The rack gear portion 30 is a gear portion that meshes with the transmission gear portion 50, and the plurality of rack teeth 31 are arranged side by side along the front-rear direction X.

[0023] Of the multiple rack teeth 31, the tooth width W1 of the first rack tooth 33 that first engages with the transmission gear section 50 when the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are fitted together is wider (larger) than the tooth width W2 of the other second rack teeth 35 excluding the first rack tooth 33.

[0024] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the transmission gear section 50 has multiple tooth grooves 51. The transmission gear section 50 is a gear section that meshes with the rack gear section 30, and the multiple tooth grooves 51 are arranged in an arc centered on the through hole section 43.

[0025] Of the multiple tooth grooves 51, a wall portion 57 is formed at the outer end in the tooth width direction of the second tooth grooves 55 other than the first tooth groove 53 that meshes with the first rack tooth 33, and a notch portion 59 is formed at the outer end in the tooth width direction of the first tooth groove 53. In other words, the outer end in the tooth width direction of the second tooth groove 55 is closed by the wall portion 57, and the outer end in the tooth width direction of the first tooth groove 53 is notched and open. For this reason, the length L1 in the tooth width direction of the first tooth groove 53 is longer (larger) than the length L2 in the tooth width direction of the second tooth groove 55.

[0026] When the lever 4 is rotated while the rack gear section 30 and the transmission gear section 50 are engaged, the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are moved relative to each other in the fitting direction (front-rear direction X). As a result, the first housing 2 is pushed into the second housing 3, and the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are fitted together (see Figure 1).

[0027] Incidentally, the tooth width W1 of the first rack tooth 33 is wider (larger) than the tooth width W2 of the second rack tooth 35, a wall portion 57 is formed at the outer end in the tooth width direction of the second tooth groove 55, and a notch portion 59 is formed at the outer end in the tooth width direction of the first tooth groove 53.

[0028] Therefore, the first rack tooth 33 interferes with the wall portion 57 formed at the outer end in the tooth width direction of the second tooth groove 55, and cannot engage with the second tooth groove 55 (see Figure 8). On the other hand, since a notch 59 is formed at the outer end in the tooth width direction of the first tooth groove 53 corresponding to the first rack tooth 33, the above-mentioned interference does not occur, and the first rack tooth 33 can engage with the first tooth groove 53.

[0029] As a result, the rack gear section 30 and the transmission gear section 50 will not mesh in a position that is misaligned from their proper meshing position. Therefore, the misalignment of the meshing position between the rack gear section 30 and the transmission gear section 50 can be suppressed, and it is possible to avoid a situation where the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 cannot be fully fitted together and remain in a partially fitted state.

[0030] Furthermore, when fitting the first housing 2 and the second housing 3, the meshing between the first rack teeth 33 of the rack gear section 30 and the first tooth groove 53 of the transmission gear section 50 can be visually confirmed through the notch 59 formed in the transmission gear section 50. Therefore, it is possible to visually confirm whether or not the first rack teeth 33 of the rack gear section 30 and the first tooth groove 53 of the transmission gear section 50 are meshing, and the rack gear section 30 and the transmission gear section 50 can be easily meshed in the correct meshing position.

[0031] As described above, the connector 1 according to this embodiment comprises a first housing 2, a second housing 3 that can be fitted with the first housing 2, and an operating member (lever 4) rotatably supported by the second housing 3. The connector 1 also comprises a rack gear portion 30 formed in the first housing 2 and a transmission gear portion 50 formed in the operating member (lever 4). The operating member (lever 4) is configured to move the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 relative to each other in the fitting direction (front-rear direction X) when rotated with the rack gear portion 30 and the transmission gear portion 50 engaged. Of the plurality of rack teeth 31 of the rack gear portion 30, the tooth width W1 of the first rack tooth 33 that first engages with the transmission gear portion 50 when the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are fitted together is formed to be larger than the tooth width W2 of the other second rack teeth 35 excluding the first rack tooth 33. Of the multiple tooth grooves 51 of the transmission gear section 50, a wall portion 57 is formed at the outer end in the tooth width direction of the second tooth grooves 55 other than the first tooth groove 53 that meshes with the first rack teeth 33, and a notch portion 59 is formed at the outer end in the tooth width direction of the first tooth groove 53.

[0032] In this embodiment, the tooth width W1 of the first rack tooth 33 is wider (larger) than the tooth width W2 of the second rack tooth 35. Furthermore, a wall portion 57 is formed at the outer end in the tooth width direction of the second tooth groove 55, and a notch portion 59 is formed at the outer end in the tooth width direction of the first tooth groove 53. As a result, the first rack tooth 33 interferes with the wall portion 57 formed at the outer end in the tooth width direction of the second tooth groove 55 and cannot mesh with the second tooth groove 55. On the other hand, the first rack tooth 33 can mesh with the first tooth groove 53 where the notch portion 59 is formed, and the rack gear portion 30 and the transmission gear portion 50 mesh at the correct meshing position. Therefore, the misalignment of the meshing position between the rack gear portion 30 and the transmission gear portion 50 can be suppressed, and it is possible to avoid a state where the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 cannot be fully fitted and are only partially fitted.

[0033] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a connector 1 that can suppress misalignment of the meshing position between the transmission gear section 50 and the rack gear section 30.

[0034] In connector 1, the notch 59 is formed so that the length L1 in the tooth width direction of the first tooth groove 53 is larger than the length L2 in the tooth width direction of the second tooth groove 55.

[0035] In this embodiment, the length L1 in the tooth width direction of the first tooth groove 53 is longer (larger) than the length L2 in the tooth width direction of the second tooth groove 55. Therefore, the first rack teeth 33 cannot mesh with the second tooth groove 55 and can only mesh with the first tooth groove 53 in which the notch 59 is formed. Thus, the misalignment of the meshing position between the rack gear portion 30 and the transmission gear portion 50 can be suppressed, and it is possible to avoid a state where the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 cannot be fully fitted together and are only partially fitted.

[0036] In the connector 1, one of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 may have a guide groove portion 15 extending along the mating direction (front-rear direction X). The other of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 may have a guide rail portion 25 extending along the mating direction (front-rear direction X) and into which the guide groove portion 15 engages.

[0037] In this embodiment, when fitting the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 together, the guide groove portion 15 and the guide rail portion 25 engage with each other, and these guide groove portion 15 and guide rail portion 25 guide the fitting of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3.

[0038] Although this embodiment has been described above, this embodiment is not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of this embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1 Connector 2. Housing 1 3. Second Housing 4 Lever 15 Guide groove section 25 Guide rail section 30 Rack gear section 31 rack teeth 33 First rack tooth 35. Second rack tooth 50 Transmission gear section 51 Tooth groove 53 First tooth groove 55 Second tooth groove 57 Wall 59 Notch W electric wire X Anteroposterior direction

Claims

1. The first housing and A second housing that can be fitted with the first housing, An operating member rotatably supported in the second housing, The rack gear portion formed in the first housing, The operating member comprises a transmission gear portion formed thereon, The operating member is configured to move the first housing and the second housing relative to each other in the fitting direction when rotated while the rack gear portion and the transmission gear portion are engaged. Of the multiple rack teeth of the rack gear section, the tooth width of the first rack tooth that first engages with the transmission gear section when the first housing and the second housing are fitted together is formed to be larger than the tooth width of the other second rack teeth excluding the first rack tooth. Of the multiple tooth grooves in the transmission gear section, a wall is formed at the outer end in the tooth width direction of the second tooth grooves other than the first tooth groove that meshes with the first rack tooth, and a notch is formed at the outer end in the tooth width direction of the first tooth groove. connector.

2. As a result of forming the notch, the length of the first tooth groove in the tooth width direction is made to be greater than the length of the second tooth groove in the tooth width direction. The connector according to claim 1.

3. A guide groove is formed in one of the first housing and the second housing, extending along the fitting direction. The other of the first housing and the second housing has a guide rail portion that extends along the fitting direction and into which the guide groove portion engages. The connector according to claim 1 or 2.

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