connector

Abstract

To provide a connector that can be mated and unmated smoothly. [Solution] The male housing 12 of the connector 10 has a first pivot portion 12H and a lock arm 12C. The lock arm 12C has a first arm 12J, a second arm 12K, a lock portion 12M provided at the extended end of the first arm 12J, a pressing operation portion 12N provided at the extended end of the second arm 12K, and a second pivot portion 12L provided at the portion of the second arm 12K between the first pivot portion 12H and the pressing operation portion 12N. When the pressing operation part 12N is pressed toward the upper surface 12V of the male housing 12, the locking part 12M moves away from the upper surface 12V with the first pivot part 12H as the pivot point, the second pivot part 12L approaches the upper surface 12V, and after the second pivot part 12L makes contact with the upper surface 12V, the locking part 12M moves away from the upper surface 12V with the second pivot part 12L as the pivot point.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which male and female housings are fitted together. The male housing is provided with a locking projection, and the female housing is provided with a locking arm having a locking portion that locks to the locking projection. The locking arm is provided with the locking portion and the operation portion at opposite positions sandwiching a support portion. When the male and female housings are fitted together, the locking portion of this locking arm is pushed up by the locking projection and displaced on a rotation orbit centered on the support portion. Then, when separating the fitted male and female housings, this locking arm displaces the locking portion on a rotation orbit centered on the support portion until it exceeds the height of the locking projection by pressing the operation portion. That is, this locking arm is configured to be swingably displaced in a seesaw shape about the support portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In order to allow the operator performing the mating operation to understand that the lock arm has engaged with the lock projection, it is sometimes desirable to amplify the locking sound produced when the lock arm engages with the lock projection and elastically returns. In such cases, it is conceivable to increase the amount of deflection of the support part (i.e., the elastic energy stored in the support part) by shortening the dimension of the section that displaces when the lock arm engages with the lock projection (between the support part and the lock part), thereby increasing the force of the elastic return in the displaced section and increasing the locking sound. However, if the dimension between the support part and the lock part is shortened, the amount of displacement of the lock part on the rotational trajectory around the support part when the operating part is pressed when the mated male and female housings are separated will be small, raising concerns that the lock part may not be sufficiently displaced when releasing the lock projection from the lock part, making it difficult to release the lock between the lock projection and the lock part.

[0005] This disclosure was completed based on the circumstances described above and aims to provide a connector that can be mated and unmatted smoothly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The connector disclosed herein is Equipped with a housing, The housing comprises a first support portion protruding from one surface of the housing, A lock arm is provided connected to the protruding end of the first pivot point and spaced apart from the surface, It has, The aforementioned lock arm is A first arm extending from the protruding end of the first support point along the surface, A second arm is connected to the side edge of the first arm and extends along the surface in a direction opposite to the extension direction of the first arm from the first pivot point, A locking portion provided at the extended end of the first arm that engages with a locking projection of the mating housing, A pressing operation part provided at the extended end of the second arm, A second pivot portion is provided in the portion of the second arm between the first pivot portion and the pressing operation portion, and is spaced apart from the surface and protruding toward the surface, It has, When the pressing operation part is pressed toward the surface, the locking part moves away from the surface with the first pivot point as the pivot point, and the second pivot point approaches the surface. After the second pivot point comes into contact with the surface, the locking part moves away from the surface with the second pivot point as the pivot point. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] This disclosure makes it possible to provide a connector that can be mated and unmatted smoothly. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the connector of Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the female housing and flexible circuit board. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the female housing. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing the male housing. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of the main part showing the lock arm of the male housing. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a side cross-sectional view showing the male and female housings in a fitted state. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a side cross-sectional view showing the male and female housings in the process of being fitted together. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a side cross-sectional view showing the state in which the pressing operation part is pressed and operated in the mated male and female housings. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The connector of the present disclosure (1) includes a housing, The housing has a first fulcrum portion protruding from one surface of the housing, and a lock arm provided spaced apart from the one surface, connected to a protruding end portion of the first fulcrum portion, and has The lock arm has a first arm extending along the one surface from the protruding end portion of the first fulcrum portion, a second arm connected to a side edge portion of the first arm and extending along the one surface in a direction opposite to the extending direction of the first arm from the first fulcrum portion, a lock portion provided at an extending end portion of the first arm and engaging with a lock protrusion of a mating housing, a pressing operation portion provided at an extending end portion of the second arm, and a second fulcrum portion provided at a portion between the first fulcrum portion and the pressing operation portion of the second arm, spaced apart from the one surface and protruding toward the one surface, and has When the pressing operation portion is pressed toward the one surface, the lock portion moves away from the one surface with the first fulcrum portion as a fulcrum, and the second fulcrum portion approaches the one surface. After the second fulcrum portion contacts the one surface, the lock portion moves away from the one surface with the second fulcrum portion as a fulcrum.

[0010] According to the configuration of (1) above, when fitting the housing and the mating housing, elastic energy is concentrated and accumulated at the first fulcrum, and when the first fulcrum elastically returns and the locking part locks to the locking projection, this elastic energy is converted into a locking sound. On the other hand, when separating the housing and the mating housing, after pressing the pressing operation part to contact the second fulcrum with one surface of the housing, the locking part is displaced in a direction away from one surface of the housing with the second fulcrum as a fulcrum. The dimension between the locking part and the second fulcrum is larger than the dimension between the locking part and the first fulcrum. Therefore, unlike the case where the fulcrum does not switch from the first fulcrum to the second fulcrum, when the fulcrum switches from the first fulcrum to the second fulcrum, the dimension between the fulcrum and the acting point (locking part) increases when switching from the first fulcrum to the second fulcrum. Therefore, when considering the operation amount of the pressing operation part as constant, since the fulcrum of the connector of the present disclosure switches from the first fulcrum to the second fulcrum, compared with the case where the fulcrum does not switch from the first fulcrum to the second fulcrum, the displacement amount by which the locking part moves away from one surface of the housing can be increased, and as a result, the locking between the locking projection and the locking part can be surely released. That is, according to this configuration, a configuration capable of surely releasing the locking between the locking projection and the locking part while suppressing the reduction of the locking sound can be achieved.

[0011] (2) In the connector described in (1) above, The locking part is, a locking hole through which the locking projection locks through the locking part, a reinforcing piece for reinforcing the locking hole, and has, It is preferable that the reinforcing piece connects edge portions of a plurality of locations among the opening edges of the locking hole.

[0012] According to the configuration of (2) above, it is possible to suppress the bending of the hole edge portion of the locking hole by the reinforcing piece and prevent the locked locking projection and the locking arm from accidentally detaching.

[0013] (3) In the connector described in (1) or (2) above, In a direction perpendicular to the aforementioned surface, it is preferable that the dimensions of the first arm are smaller than the dimensions of the second arm.

[0014] According to the configuration of (3) above, the rigidity of the first arm in the direction of pressing the pressing operation part can be made lower than that of the second arm, making it more flexible. Therefore, when pressing the pressing operation part to release the locking between the lock part and the lock projection, the displacement movement of the lock part caused by this operation can be less likely to be hindered by the first arm.

[0015] [Details of the embodiments of this disclosure] Specific examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples and is intended to be included in the claims, with all modifications in the sense and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0016] <Embodiment 1> Embodiment 1 of the connector of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. As shown in Figure 1, the connector 10 comprises a flexible substrate 13, a female housing 11 which is the mating housing, a female terminal fitting 19 (see Figure 2), a male housing 12 which is the housing, and a male terminal fitting 20 (see Figure 2).

[0017] In this embodiment 1, the front, rear, top, bottom, right, and left sides are represented by "F," "B," "U," "D," "R," and "L" in the figure. In the following description, the direction in which the female housing 11 and the male housing 12 are fitted together is defined as the fitting direction (front-back direction). In this embodiment 1, the left-right direction corresponds to the width direction and is the direction that intersects the fitting direction.

[0018] [Flexible circuit board configuration] The flexible circuit board 13 is made of what is known as an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit). The flexible circuit board 13 has flexibility (deformability) that allows it to be easily deformed when subjected to external forces. Multiple wiring patterns (not shown) are provided on one surface of the flexible circuit board 13. As shown in Figure 2, the ends of each wiring pattern are exposed and formed as multiple soldering surfaces 13A. These soldering surfaces 13A are arranged in the width direction (left-right direction). The connection portion 19E of the female terminal fitting 19, which will be described later, is connected to these soldering surfaces 13A by solder. In the left and right regions of the soldering surfaces 13A on the flexible circuit board 13, there is one fixing surface 13B each, to which the fixing fitting 15, which will be described later, is soldered and fixed. A reinforcing plate 13C is attached to the other surface of the flexible circuit board 13. The reinforcing plate 13C is thicker than the flexible circuit board 13 and does not easily deform when subjected to external forces. In other words, the reinforcing plate 13C has the function of preventing the flexible substrate 13 from being unintentionally deformed.

[0019] [Female housing configuration] The female housing 11 is made of synthetic resin. As shown in Figure 2, the female housing 11 is a horizontally elongated block shape, with its left-right dimension being larger than its up-down dimension. Inside the female housing 11, multiple cavities 11A extending in the front-to-back direction are formed in the width direction (left-to-right direction). A female terminal fitting 19, which will be described later, is inserted and attached to each cavity 11A from the rear.

[0020] As shown in Figure 3, the female housing 11 is provided with a terminal housing portion 11B that is wide in the left-right direction and protrudes forward in a block shape. A cavity 11A is formed in the terminal housing portion 11B. At the front end of the upper surface of the terminal housing portion 11B, a pair of locking protrusions 11C are provided side by side in the left-right direction, protruding upward.

[0021] The female housing 11 is provided with a covering wall portion 11D that surrounds the lower surface and both left and right sides of the terminal housing portion 11B. An insertion groove 11E that is open to the front is formed between the inner surface of the covering wall portion 11D and the outer surface (lower surface and both left and right sides) of the terminal housing portion 11B.

[0022] On the left and right sides of the covering wall portion 11D, recesses 11F are formed on the left and right outer sides, which are recessed inwards in the left and right direction. One fixing bracket 15 is attached to each recess 11F (see Figure 1).

[0023] [Configuration of female terminal fittings] The female terminal fitting 19 is formed by punching and bending a conductive metal plate into a predetermined shape. The female terminal fitting 19 is housed in the cavity 11A of the female housing 11 (see Figure 6). As shown in Figure 2, the female terminal fitting 19 has a rectangular tubular box portion 19A extending in the front-to-back direction, a lead 19B, a bent portion 19D, and a connecting portion 19E.

[0024] The tab 20D of the male terminal fitting 20, described later, is inserted into the box portion 19A from the front (see Figure 6). An elastic contact piece (not shown) is arranged inside the box portion 19A. When the tab 20D is inserted into the box portion 19A from the front, the elastic contact piece elastically contacts the tab 20D, and the male terminal fitting 20 and the female terminal fitting 19 are electrically connected. The box portion 19A is provided with retaining protrusions 19C that protrude outward in the left and right directions.

[0025] The female terminal fitting 19 is inserted into the cavity 11A from the rear. Specifically, the female terminal fitting 19 is inserted into the rear end of the cavity 11A from the front end of the box portion 19A. At this time, the box portion 19A is inserted into the cavity 11A while the retaining projection 19C bites into the inner surfaces on both the left and right sides of the cavity 11A. The insertion operation of the female terminal fitting 19 into the cavity 11A is stopped when the front end of the box portion 19A comes into contact with the inner surface of the front end of the cavity 11A (see Figure 6). The female terminal fitting 19 is locked in place inside the cavity 11A by the retaining projection 19C biting into the inner surface of the cavity 11A.

[0026] The lead 19B extends in a strip-like shape backward from the rear end of the lower wall portion of the box portion 19A. The thickness direction of the lead 19B is oriented in the vertical direction. When the female terminal fitting 19 is inserted into the cavity 11A, the lead 19B protrudes to the rear of the cavity 11A.

[0027] The bent portion 19D is connected to the rear end of the lead 19B and extends downward in a strip shape. The thickness direction of the bent portion 19D is oriented in the front-to-back direction. The connecting portion 19E is connected to the tip (lower end) of the bent portion 19D and extends backward in a strip shape. The thickness direction of the connecting portion 19E is oriented in the up-and-down direction.

[0028] A female housing 11, with one female terminal fitting 19 inserted into each cavity 11A and a pair of fixing fittings 15 attached, is mounted to the flexible circuit board 13 (see Figure 6). Specifically, the connection portion 19E of each lead 19B is soldered in contact with the soldering surface 13A. At the same time, the lower end surfaces of the pair of fixing fittings 15 are soldered in contact with the respective fixing surfaces 13B. In this way, the female housing 11 is mounted to the flexible circuit board 13.

[0029] [Male Housing Configuration] The male housing 12 is made of synthetic resin. The male housing 12 is matable with the female housing 11 (see Figure 6). As shown in Figure 4, the male housing 12 has a terminal housing portion 12A, a hood portion 12B that extends backward in a rectangular tube shape from the outer peripheral edge of the terminal housing portion 12A in the left-right and up-down directions, a first pivot portion 12H that protrudes upward from the upper surface 12V of the terminal housing portion 12A (one surface of the male housing 12), and a lock arm 12C that is connected to the protruding end of the first pivot portion 12H and spaced apart from the upper surface 12V of the terminal housing portion 12A. Multiple cavities 12D that penetrate in the front-rear direction are formed in the terminal housing portion 12A in the left-right direction. Each cavity 12D is provided with a lance 12E that extends backward in a cantilevered manner. In the terminal housing section 12A, a retainer mounting hole 12F is formed in front of the lance 12E, with the retainer 21 (see Figure 6) attached to it, and is open downwards.

[0030] A recessed area 12U is formed in the center of the left-right direction on the inner side of the upper wall of the hood portion 12B (see Figure 5). The front end of the recessed area 12U is open to the front, and the rear end is open to the rear (see Figure 5). The first support point portion 12H is a rectangular shape that is elongated in the left-right direction and is provided projecting upward from the center of the left-right and front-rear directions on the upper surface 12V of the terminal housing portion 12A (see Figures 5 and 6).

[0031] As shown in Figure 5, the lock arm 12C includes a first arm 12J, a pair of second arms 12K, a locking portion 12M, a pressing operation portion 12N, and a second pivot portion 12L. The first arm 12J is a flat plate with its thickness direction oriented vertically, and extends backward from the protruding end of the first pivot portion 12H along the upper surface 12V of the terminal housing portion 12A of the male housing 12. The first arm 12J is positioned spaced above the upper surface 12V of the terminal housing portion 12A (see Figure 6).

[0032] The pair of second arms 12K extend forward along the upper surface 12V of the terminal housing 12A, connected to both side edges in the left-right direction (width direction) that intersect the extension direction of the first arm 12J. In the direction perpendicular to the upper surface 12V of the male housing 12, the plate thickness dimension of the first arm 12J is smaller than the dimension of each second arm 12K (see Figure 6).

[0033] Each second arm 12K extends rearward from the first pivot point 12H. In other words, each second arm 12K extends forward from the first pivot point 12H in the opposite direction (forward) to the extension direction (rearward) of the first arm 12J. Each second arm 12K is positioned above and spaced apart from the upper surface 12V of the terminal housing 12A (see Figure 6). The rear portion of the upper surface of each second arm 12K is inclined downward toward the rear (see Figure 6). The front portion of the upper surface of each second arm 12K is horizontally extended (see Figure 6). The rear portion of the lower surface of each second arm 12K is parallel to the front-rear direction (see Figure 6).

[0034] As shown in Figure 5, the locking portion 12M is the extended end of the first arm 12J and is provided between the rear ends of the pair of second arms 12K. The locking portion 12M has a locking piece 12Q, a locking hole 12R, and a reinforcing piece 12S. The locking piece 12Q extends in the left-right direction and is connected to each of the rear ends of the pair of second arms 12K.

[0035] The locking hole 12R is formed to penetrate vertically through the front of the locking piece 12Q. In other words, the locking hole 12R penetrates the locking portion 12M vertically. The reinforcing piece 12S is connected to the left-right center of the locking piece 12Q and extends forward. The reinforcing piece 12S is positioned to divide the locking hole 12R into left and right sides. The reinforcing piece 12S connects two points on the opening edge of the locking hole 12R: the front edge and the rear edge. The reinforcing piece 12S has the function of reinforcing the opening edge of the locking hole 12R so that it does not deform. The locking piece 12Q and the reinforcing piece 12S are part of the first arm 12J. The locking portion 12M is positioned spaced above the upper surface 12V of the terminal housing portion 12A (see Figure 6).

[0036] The pressing operation section 12N is located between the extended ends of a pair of second arms 12K, which are positioned in front of the first pivot section 12H. The pressing operation section 12N is positioned in front of the first pivot section 12H. The pressing operation section 12N is formed in a downward-sloping, stepped shape facing backward. The pressing operation section 12N is positioned spaced upward relative to the upper surface 12V of the terminal housing section 12A (see Figure 6).

[0037] As shown in Figure 6, the second pivot point 12L is located between the first pivot point 12H and the pressing operation part 12N of each second arm 12K. When viewed from the left and right directions, the second pivot point 12L protrudes downward from the second arm 12K. In other words, the second pivot point 12L protrudes from the second arm 12K in a direction toward the upper surface 12V of the terminal housing 12A. The front-rear dimension of the second pivot point 12L is formed to decrease toward the downward direction. The second pivot point 12L is spaced apart from the upper surface 12V of the terminal housing 12A. In the vertical direction (direction perpendicular to the upper surface 12V of the terminal housing 12A), the dimension of the second arm 12K gradually increases toward the front from the rear end, reaching a maximum at the lower end 12P of the second pivot point 12L, and then gradually decreasing toward the front from the lower end 12P. Furthermore, in the vertical direction (in the direction perpendicular to the upper surface 12V of the terminal housing portion 12A), the dimensions of the portion of the second arm 12K closer to the lock portion 12M than to the first pivot portion 12H are smaller than the dimensions of the portion of the second arm 12K closer to the pressing operation portion 12N than to the first pivot portion 12H.

[0038] As shown in Figure 5, the lock arm 12C has a U-shaped slit 12T that penetrates vertically along the left and right sides and front of the first pivot portion 12H. The slit 12T extends rearward from the first pivot portion 12H. The rear end of the lock arm 12C (lock portion 12M) is positioned to face the space inside the hood portion 12B. The lock arm 12C is thus formed.

[0039] [Configuration of male terminal fittings] The male terminal fitting 20 is formed by punching and bending a conductive metal plate into a predetermined shape. As shown in Figure 2, the male terminal fitting 20 is connected to the end of the insulated wire W. The male terminal fitting 20 has an insulation barrel 20A, a wire barrel 20B, a box portion 20C, and a tab 20D. The insulation barrel 20A is crimped to wrap around the outer circumference of the insulating coating of the insulated wire W. The wire barrel 20B is attached behind the insulation barrel 20A and crimped to wrap around the outer circumference of the core wire of the insulated wire W. The box portion 20C is a rectangular tube shape extending in the front-rear direction and is attached behind the wire barrel 20B. The rear end of the box portion 20C is tapered in diameter towards the rear. A locking projection 20G is provided projecting downward from the lower wall portion of the wall portion forming the box portion 20C. Tab 20D extends backward from the reduced diameter rear end of box section 20C.

[0040] The male terminal fitting 20 is inserted from the front into each cavity 12D of the terminal housing 12A. As shown in Figure 6, the lance 12E engages with the locking projection 20G of the male terminal fitting 20 from the front. Furthermore, the retainer 21, which is attached to the retainer mounting hole 12F, engages with the box portion 20C of the male terminal fitting 20 from the front. As a result, the male terminal fitting 20 is housed in the terminal housing 12A with the cavity 12D passing through in the front-to-back direction, and is held in a state that prevents it from coming loose. When the male terminal fitting 20 is housed in the terminal housing 12A, the tab 20D protrudes inward from the hood portion 12B.

[0041] [Regarding the attachment of the male housing to the female housing] When fitting the female housing 11 and the male housing 12, insert them while maintaining a position in which the front end of the terminal housing portion 11B is directly facing the open end of the hood portion 12B. At this time, as shown in Figure 7, when the locking piece 12Q of the locking portion 12M of the lock arm 12C contacts the pair of locking protrusions 11C provided on the front end of the upper surface 12V of the terminal housing portion 11B, the first pivot portion 12H elastically deforms so that the portion of the lock arm 12C on the locking portion 12M side lifts up and the portion of the lock arm 12C on the pressing operation portion 12N side lowers, with the rear end of the first pivot portion 12H as the pivot point F1. At this time, elastic energy is mainly accumulated in the first pivot portion 12H. That is, the lock arm 12C tilts in a seesaw-like manner with the first pivot portion 12H as the pivot point.

[0042] As the insertion of the terminal housing portion 11B into the hood portion 12B progresses further, reaching the proper mating state, the locking piece 12Q is released from interference with the pair of locking protrusions 11C, as shown in Figure 6, and the first pivot portion 12H elastically returns to its original position. At this time, the elastic energy mainly stored in the first pivot portion 12H is converted into a locking sound as the first pivot portion 12H elastically returns to its original position. In this way, the pair of locking protrusions 11C enter into the locking hole 12R and lock, and the locking protrusions 11C and the locking arm 12C are locked together. As a result, the female housing 11 and the male housing 12 are locked into the proper mating state.

[0043] [Regarding the separation of the female and male housings] When separating the mated female housing 11 and male housing 12, as shown in Figure 8, the pressing operation part 12N is pressed downwards toward the upper surface 12V of the terminal housing part 12A. Then, with the rear end of the first pivot part 12H as the pivot point F1, the locking part 12M moves along a rotational trajectory of the first pivot part 12H centered on the pivot point F1, and moves upward away from the upper surface 12V of the terminal housing part 12A. At the same time, the pressing operation part 12N moves downwards toward the upper surface 12V of the terminal housing part 12A.

[0044] When the pressing operation part 12N is pressed further downward, the lower end portion 12P of the second pivot portion 12L comes into contact with the upper surface 12V of the terminal housing portion 12A. When the pressing operation part 12N is pressed further downward, the lock portion 12M moves along a rotational trajectory centered on the pivot point F2, with the lower end portion 12P that is in contact with the upper surface 12V of the terminal housing portion 12A acting as the pivot point F2, and moves upward away from the upper surface 12V of the terminal housing portion 12A. At the same time, the pressing operation part 12N moves further downward towards the upper surface 12V of the terminal housing portion 12A. When the second pivot portion 12L comes into contact with the upper surface 12V of the terminal housing portion 12A, the lock arm 12C becomes stable, supported by the first pivot portion 12H and the second pivot portion 12L. Here, in the vertical direction, the plate thickness dimension of the first arm 12J interposed between the first pivot point 12H and the second arm 12K is smaller than the dimension of the second arm 12K. That is, in the vertical direction, the rigidity of the first arm 12J is lower than the rigidity of the second arm 12K. Therefore, when the pressing operation part 12N is pressed downward to rotate the second arm 12K around the pivot point F2, the first arm 12J flexes, allowing for relative displacement between the first pivot point 12H and the second arm 12K. As a result, the locking part 12M can be smoothly moved upward from the upper surface 12V of the terminal housing part 12A.

[0045] The distance between the locking portion 12M and the pivot point F2 is greater than the distance between the locking portion 12M and the pivot point F1. Therefore, the ratio of upward movement of the locking portion 12M to the amount of operation of the pressing operation portion 12N is greater after the lower end 12P of the second pivot portion 12L contacts the upper surface 12V of the terminal housing portion 12A than before the lower end 12P of the second pivot portion 12L contacts the upper surface 12V of the terminal housing portion 12A (i.e., when the rear end of the first pivot portion 12H is the pivot point F1). As a result, the locking portion 12M can be reliably displaced above the locking projection 11C, making it possible to smoothly separate the mated female housing 11 and male housing 12.

[0046] As described above, the connector 10 includes a male housing 12. The male housing 12 has a first pivot portion 12H protruding from the upper surface 12V of the male housing 12, and a lock arm 12C connected to the protruding end of the first pivot portion 12H and spaced apart from the upper surface 12V of the male housing 12. The lock arm 12C has a first arm 12J, a second arm 12K, a lock portion 12M, a pressing operation portion 12N, and a second pivot portion 12L. The first arm 12J extends from the protruding end of the first pivot portion 12H along the upper surface 12V. The second arm 12K is connected to the widthwise side edge that intersects the extension direction of the first arm 12J and extends along the upper surface 12V of the male housing 12 in the opposite direction to the extension direction of the first arm 12J compared to the first pivot portion 12H. The locking portion 12M is provided at the extended end of the first arm 12J and engages with the locking projection 11C of the female housing 11. The pressing operation portion 12N is provided at the extended end of the second arm 12K. The second pivot portion 12L is provided at the portion of the second arm 12K between the first pivot portion 12H and the pressing operation portion 12N, spaced apart from the upper surface 12V of the male housing 12 and protruding toward the upper surface 12V of the male housing 12. When the pressing operation part 12N is pressed toward the upper surface 12V of the male housing 12, the locking part 12M moves away from the upper surface 12V of the male housing 12 with the first pivot part 12H as the pivot point, and the second pivot part 12L approaches the upper surface 12V of the male housing 12. After the second pivot part 12L makes contact with the upper surface 12V of the male housing 12, the locking part 12M moves away from the upper surface 12V of the male housing 12 with the second pivot part 12L as the pivot point.

[0047] When the male housing 12 and the female housing 11 are fitted together, elastic energy is concentrated and stored at the first pivot point 12H, and when the first pivot point 12H elastically returns to its original position and the locking part 12M engages with the locking projection 11C, this elastic energy is converted into a locking sound. In contrast, when separating the male housing 12 and the female housing 11, the pressing operation part 12N is pressed to bring the second pivot point 12L into contact with the upper surface 12V of the male housing 12, and then the locking part 12M is displaced away from the upper surface 12V of the male housing 12, using the second pivot point 12L as a pivot. The dimension between the locking part 12M and the second pivot point 12L is larger than the dimension between the locking part 12M and the first pivot point 12H. Therefore, unlike the case where the fulcrum does not switch from the first fulcrum portion 12H to the second fulcrum portion 12L, when the fulcrum switches from the first fulcrum portion 12H to the second fulcrum portion 12L, the distance between the fulcrum and the point of application (lock portion 12M) increases when the switch occurs. Consequently, when the amount of operation of the pressing operation portion 12N is considered constant, the connector 10 can move from the first fulcrum portion 12H to the second fulcrum portion 12L, and as a result, the displacement of the lock portion 12M away from the upper surface 12V of the male housing 12 can be increased compared to the case where the fulcrum does not switch from the first fulcrum portion 12H to the second fulcrum portion 12L, and the locking between the lock projection 11C and the lock portion 12M can be reliably released. In other words, this configuration makes it possible to reliably unlock the locking projection 11C and the locking part 12M while minimizing the reduction of locking noise.

[0048] The locking portion 12M has a locking hole 12R through which the locking projection 11C engages, and a reinforcing piece 12S that reinforces the locking hole 12R. The reinforcing piece 12S connects the front edge and the rear edge of the opening edge of the locking hole 12R. With this configuration, the reinforcing piece 12S can suppress the bending of the hole edge of the locking hole 12R, thereby preventing the locked locking projection 11C and the locking arm 12C from unintentionally detaching.

[0049] In a direction perpendicular to the upper surface 12V of the male housing 12, the dimension of the first arm 12J is smaller than the dimension of the second arm 12K. With this configuration, the rigidity of the first arm 12J in the direction of pressing the pressing operation part 12N can be made lower than that of the second arm 12K, making it more flexible. Therefore, when pressing the pressing operation part 12N, the displacement movement of the locking part 12M caused by this operation can be less likely to be hindered by the first arm 12J.

[0050] <Other Embodiments> The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, but is indicated by the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included.

[0051] Unlike Embodiment 1, a configuration in which a locking arm is provided on the female housing and a locking projection is provided on the male housing may also be used.

[0052] Unlike Embodiment 1, the female terminal fitting may be provided with a wire barrel and an insulation barrel, and connected to the end portion of the insulated wire.

[0053] Unlike Embodiment 1, the configuration may not include reinforcing pieces.

[0054] Unlike Embodiment 1, the second arm may be formed with the same thickness throughout its entire length in the front-to-back direction.

[0055] Unlike Embodiment 1, the lock arm may be provided on the left or right side of the housing. For example, if the lock arm is provided on the left side of the housing, the pressing operation part is pressed toward the left side of the housing. Then, with the rear end of the first pivot point as the pivot, the lock part moves along a rotational trajectory centered on the pivot point of the first pivot point and moves away from the left side of the terminal housing. At the same time, the pressing operation part approaches the left side of the terminal housing. If the pressing operation part is pressed toward the left side further, the lower end of the second pivot point comes into contact with the left side of the terminal housing, and with the lower end of the second pivot point in contact with the left side of the terminal housing as the pivot point, the lock part moves along a rotational trajectory centered on the pivot point and moves away from the left side of the terminal housing.

[0056] Unlike in Example 1, the reinforcing piece may be configured by connecting three or more edges of the opening edge of the locking hole. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0057] 10: Connector 11: Female housing (opposite housing) 11A: Cavity 11B: Terminal housing section 11C: Locking projection 11D: Covering wall section 11E: Insertion groove 11F: Recess 12: Male Housing (Housing) 12A: Terminal housing section 12B: Hood section 12C: Lock Arm 12D: Cavity 12E: Lance 12F: Retainer mounting hole 12G: Locking protrusion 12H: 1st fulcrum part 12J: First Arm 12K: Second Arm 12L: 2nd fulcrum part 12M: Locking part 12N: Press operation part 12P: Bottom end 12Q: Rock fragment 12R: Locking hole 12S: Reinforcement piece 12T: Slit 12U: recessed 12V: Top (one side of the housing) 13: Flexible circuit board 13A: Soldering surface 13B:Fixed surface 13C: Reinforcement plate 15: Fixing hardware 19: Female terminal fittings 19A: Hakobe 19B: Lead 19C: Retaining projection 19D: Bent part 19E: Connection part 20: Male terminal fittings 20A: Insulation barrel 20B: Wire barrel 20C: Hakobe 20D: Tab F1,F2:Fulcrum W: Insulated wire

Claims

1. Equipped with a housing, The housing comprises a first support portion protruding from one surface of the housing, A lock arm is provided connected to the protruding end of the first pivot point and spaced apart from the surface, It has, The aforementioned lock arm is A first arm extending from the protruding end of the first support point along the surface, A second arm is connected to the side edge of the first arm and extends along the surface in a direction opposite to the extension direction of the first arm from the first pivot point, A locking portion provided at the extended end of the first arm that engages with the locking projection of the mating housing, A pressing operation part provided at the extended end of the second arm, A second pivot portion is provided in the portion of the second arm between the first pivot portion and the pressing operation portion, and is spaced apart from the surface and protruding toward the surface, It has, A connector in which, when the pressing operation part is pressed toward the surface, the locking part moves away from the surface with the first pivot point as the pivot, the second pivot point approaches the surface, and after the second pivot point comes into contact with the surface, the locking part moves away from the surface with the second pivot point as the pivot.

2. The aforementioned locking mechanism is A locking hole through the locking portion into which the locking projection engages, A reinforcing piece for reinforcing the aforementioned locking hole, It has, The connector according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing piece connects multiple edges of the opening edge of the locking hole.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the dimension of the first arm is smaller than the dimension of the second arm in a direction perpendicular to the aforementioned surface.

Images