Connector fitting structure

Abstract

To provide a connector fitting structure which can insert smoothly a connector and can fit them.SOLUTION: An inlet plug includes: a plug housing 80 that houses a first connection terminal; and a fitting guide groove 85 that is provided at the plug housing 80. An inlet includes: an outer case that houses a second connection terminal; and a receiving rib 19 that is provided at the outer case and is inserted into the fitting guide groove 85. The fitting guide groove 85 includes: a first groove part 85a that is extended along a connector fitting direction; a second groove part 85b that is formed so as to be gradually wider as directed to the inlet side from the first groove part side; and a connection part 85c that connects the first groove part and the second groove part. In the receiving rib 19, a concave part 191 is formed on a tip end side of at least one side surface opposite to the groove side surface of the fitting guide groove 85.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a wire harness (electric wires) that electrically connects various electrical components mounted on an automobile or the like is connected by a connector. In order to properly fit such a connector, it is conceivable to apply a connector guide mechanism described in, for example, Patent Document 1.

[0003] This connector guide mechanism has a plug, a socket, a plug-side guide, and a socket-side guide, and the plug-side guide and the socket-side guide are equipped with positioning portions that align the tips of the plug and the plug-side guide to predetermined positions around the axis when the plug is inserted into the socket. The positioning portion includes a protrusion formed on the tip of the plug-side guide, and a groove formed in the opening of the socket-side guide so that the protrusion fits inside. With this configuration, the tip portions of the plug and the plug-side guide are regulated to the correct direction by the positioning portion, so that the plug can be smoothly inserted and removed even if the central axis of the plug and the central axis of the socket are in an inclined relationship. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-24952 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the connector guide mechanism disclosed in Patent Document 1, in plan view, the groove has a rectangular shape extending in the mating direction, and the protrusion has a rectangular shape corresponding to this groove. Therefore, although the groove is widened on the entrance side in this connector guide mechanism, depending on the insertion angle when inserting the plug, the protrusion may get caught on the groove wall near the entrance of the groove, making it difficult to smoothly fit the plug.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector fitting structure that allows a connector to be smoothly inserted and fitted. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The above object of the present invention can be achieved by the following configuration. (1) A connector fitting structure for a first connector and a second connector which are fitted together and electrically connected to each other, The first connector is a first housing that accommodates a first connection terminal; a guide groove provided in the first housing, The guide groove is a first groove portion extending along a connector fitting direction, a second groove portion formed to be gradually wider from the first groove portion side toward the second connector side, and a connection portion connecting the first groove portion and the second groove portion, The second connector is a second housing that accommodates a second connection terminal; an outer housing that accommodates and holds the second housing; The above Outer a protrusion provided on the housing and inserted into the guide groove; The protrusion has a recess formed on a tip side of at least one side surface facing a groove side surface of the guide groove. Connector mating structure.

[0008] According to the connector having the above configuration (1), the concave portion is formed on the side surface of the protrusion, so that even if the protrusion is inserted obliquely into the guide groove, the concave portion prevents interference between the protrusion and the connection portion of the guide groove, and no catching occurs. Therefore, the first connector and the second connector can be smoothly fitted together. Note that the oblique insertion means that the protrusion is inserted into the guide groove at an angle in the width direction of the guide groove with respect to the connector fitting direction.

[0009] (2) The protrusion has the recess formed on each of both side surfaces facing the groove side surface. The connector fitting structure described in (1) above.

[0010] (3) The recessed portion is formed in a plurality of portions at predetermined intervals along the connector fitting direction from the tip side of the protruding portion. The connector fitting structure according to (1) or (2) above.

[0011] (4) The recess has a curved cross section in a plane along a bottom surface of the guide groove. A connector fitting structure according to any one of (1) to (3) above.

[0012] (5) The at least one side surface of the protrusion has a cross section having a sine wave shape. The connector fitting structure according to (4) above. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector fitting structure that enables a connector to be smoothly inserted and fitted.

[0014] The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading the following description of the embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as "embodiment") with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an inlet as a second connector that constitutes a connector fitting structure according to one embodiment of the present invention, and an inlet plug as a first connector that is fitted into the inlet. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the inlet shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inlet plug shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a plan view showing a state immediately after the inlet and inlet plug shown in FIG. 1 start to be fitted together, with the top plate of the inlet omitted. [Diagram 5] 5 is a plan view showing a state in the middle of fitting the inlet and the inlet plug shown in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 6] 4, and (b) is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of part C in FIG. 5, showing a state in which the convex portion is obliquely inserted into the guide groove. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion D in FIG. [Figure 9] 6 is a plan view showing a state in which the inlet and the inlet plug shown in FIG. 5 are completely fitted together. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a modified example of the pick-up rib. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an inlet 1 as a second connector constituting a connector fitting structure according to one embodiment of the present invention, and an inlet plug 5 as a first connector that fits into the inlet 1. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the inlet 1 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the inlet plug 5 shown in Fig. 1.

[0017] 1 and 2, an inlet 1 which is a second connector according to this embodiment includes a housing 20 which accommodates a connection terminal (second connection terminal), an outer case 51 which serves as a second housing which accommodates and holds the housing 20, and a pick-up rib 19 which serves as a protrusion provided on the outer case 51 and which is inserted into a fitting guide groove 85 (guide groove). The pick-up rib 19 has a plurality of recesses 191 formed on the tip side of both side surfaces which face the groove side surfaces of the fitting guide groove 85. The fitting guide groove 85 is provided in a plug housing 80 of the inlet plug 5.

[0018] In this specification, the front-to-rear direction refers to the direction along the connector fitting direction of the housing 20 (left-to-right direction in Figure 6), with the side where the plug housing 80 of the inlet plug 5 is fitted being the front, and the up-down direction refers to the direction perpendicular to the connector fitting direction of the housing 20 (up-down direction in Figure 6), with the top plate 50 side of the outer case 51 being the top.

[0019] The housing 20 of the inlet 1 is made of electrically insulating synthetic resin. A pair of terminal accommodating cylindrical portions 23, 23 protruding toward the inlet plug 5 side are provided on a front wall 26 of the housing 20. A connection terminal connected to an end portion of a high-voltage cable (not shown) is housed in the terminal accommodating cylindrical portion 23. The high-voltage cable connected to the connection terminal is drawn out from the rear end opening of the terminal accommodating cylindrical portion 23. At the front end of the terminal accommodating cylindrical portion 23, a front opening 25 is formed into which the connection terminal (first connection terminal) of the inlet plug 5 is inserted.

[0020] The connection terminal is a female terminal made of a conductive metal material and formed into a cylindrical rod shape. A joint hole is formed at the rear end of the connection terminal, and the conductor of the high voltage cable drawn out from the rear end opening of the terminal housing tube portion 23 is inserted into this joint hole and connected by crimping.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the outer case 51 is a flat housing that is composed of a bottom plate portion 57, side wall members 61 and 63, and a top plate 50. The bottom plate portion 57 is a flat plate that is slightly smaller than the top plate 50. The bottom plate portion 57 has an inclined portion on the upper surface of the front end portion for guiding the insertion of the inlet plug 5 into the inlet 1.

[0022] The side wall members 61, 63 are disposed on both the left and right sides of the housing 20, and form both side walls of the outer case 51. The side wall members 61, 63 each have a step portion at approximately the center in the front-rear direction against which both side ends of the housing 20 abut.

[0023] The top plate 50 has an eave portion 15 extending in front of an upper wall portion 13 which, together with a bottom plate portion 57 and side wall members 61, 63, defines a housing receiving space. A guide rib 19 for guiding the plug housing 80 of the inlet plug 5 into the housing 20 accommodated in the outer case 51 is provided on the underside of the central portion of the eaves portion 15, extending in the connector fitting direction.

[0024] The pick-up rib 19 has a rounded tip and has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape whose length in the connector fitting direction is longer than its length in the left-right direction, and a plurality of recesses 191 are formed on both left and right sides at the front side (tip side). The plurality of recesses 191 are formed on the pick-up rib 19 at a predetermined interval from the front end (tip) along the connector fitting direction. The predetermined intervals are appropriately determined in consideration of the size of the pick-up rib 19 and the size of the fitting guide groove 85. The recess 191 has a curved sine wave shape in cross section in a plane along the groove bottom surface of the fitting guide groove 85. The cross-sectional shape of the recess 191 is the same as the shape of the recess 191 in plan view shown in FIG. 8. The left and right side surfaces of the pick-up rib 19 face the groove side surfaces of the fitting guide groove 85 provided in the plug housing 80 of the inlet plug 5. The tip side of the pick-up rib 19 has a plurality of recesses 191 on the left and right sides, so that the cross-sectional shape in a plane along the groove bottom surface of the fitting guide groove 85 has a circular connected shape made up of a plurality of circles connected together.

[0025] The top plate 50, the pick-up rib 19, the side wall members 61, 63 and the bottom plate portion 57 are integrally molded from an electrically insulating synthetic resin. The housing 20 containing the connection terminals is inserted into the integrally molded outer case 51 from the rear and secured with screws.

[0026] The inlet plug 5, which is the first connector in this embodiment, comprises a plug side connection terminal that fits into the connection terminal of the inlet 1, a plug housing 80 as a first housing having a pair of terminal accommodating chambers 83, 83 that accommodate the plug side connection terminal, and a bracket 86 (see Figures 1 and 3).

[0027] The plug housing 80 is made of an electrically insulating synthetic resin. A bracket 86 is attached to the plug housing 80. A mating guide groove 85 is formed on the upper surface of the plug housing 80. The mating guide groove 85 has a first groove portion 85a extending along the connector mating direction, a second groove portion 85b formed to gradually become wider from the first groove portion 85a side toward the inlet 1 side, and a connection portion 85c connecting the first groove portion 85a and the second groove portion 85b. The first groove portion 85a has a width corresponding to the width of the pick-up rib 19 provided on the top plate 50 of the inlet 1. The mating guide groove 85 has a contour that is approximately Y-shaped in a plan view. When the inlet plug 5 is mated with the inlet 1, the mating guide groove 85 can guide the plug housing 80 into the housing 20 by engaging with the pick-up rib 19.

[0028] A connection terminal 90 (see FIG. 6) connected to an end portion of a plug-side high-voltage cable (not shown) is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 83. The plug-side high-voltage cable connected to the connection terminal 90 is pulled out from the rear end opening of the terminal accommodating chamber 83.

[0029] 6 is a male terminal made of a conductive metal material and formed into a cylindrical rod shape. A joint hole is formed at the rear end of the connection terminal 90, and the conductor of the high voltage cable drawn out from the rear end opening of the terminal accommodating chamber 83 is inserted into the joint hole and crimped.

[0030] Next, the operation of fitting the inlet 1 and the inlet plug 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. From a state in which the inlet plug 5 and the inlet 1 face each other, the inlet plug 5 is moved toward the inlet 1 to start inserting and fitting the plug housing 80 into the outer case 51. Immediately after the start of fitting, the upper surface of the plug housing 80 abuts against the lower surface of the top plate 50 of the inlet 1, and the tip of the pick-up rib 19 is inserted into the second groove portion 85b of the fitting guide groove 85, as shown in Figures 4 and 6(a). When the inlet plug 5 is further inserted deeper toward the rear of the inlet 1 from the state shown in Figures 4 and 6(a), the tip of the pick-up rib 19 is guided into the first groove portion 85a via the connection portion 85c of the fitting guide groove 85, as shown in Figures 5 and 6(b). Figure 1 shows the inlet 1 and inlet plug 5 in this intermediate fitting state.

[0031] On the other hand, when the inlet plug 5 is inserted at an angle in the left-right direction relative to the connector fitting direction, the front end of the pick-up rib 19 comes into contact with the groove side surface of the second groove portion 85b of the fitting guide groove 85 immediately after fitting begins (see FIG. 4). When the inlet plug 5 is further inserted deeper from this state by advancing it further toward the rear of the inlet 1, the side surface of the pick-up rib 19 comes into sliding contact with the groove side surface of the second groove portion 85b of the fitting guide groove 85, and the tip of the pick-up rib 19 reaches between both groove side surfaces of the connecting portion 85c as shown in FIG.

[0032] 7, when the inlet plug 5 is further inserted deeper toward the rear of the inlet 1, the pick-up rib 19 is inserted between both groove side surfaces of the first groove portion 85a in the fitting guide groove 85. As the pick-up rib 19 enters the first groove portion 85a, the inclined fitting direction is corrected to the correct connector fitting direction, and the plug housing 80 is guided into the housing 20.

[0033] When the inlet plug 5 is further inserted deeper toward the rear of the inlet 1, the front end of the plug housing 80 abuts against the front wall 26 of the housing 20, as shown in Fig. 9. In the state shown in Fig. 9, the connection terminal 90 of the inlet plug 5 is fitted into and connected to the connection terminal of the inlet 1, thereby electrically connecting the high voltage cable on the inlet 1 side and the high voltage cable on the plug side.

[0034] Here, referring to Fig. 8, the shape of the pick-up rib 19 of this embodiment will be compared with the shape of the pick-up rib 19A of the reference example. In Fig. 8, the shape of the pick-up rib 19 is indicated by a solid line, and the shape of the pick-up rib 19A is indicated by a dashed line. The pick-up rib 19A of the reference example has a shape in which the pick-up rib 19 of this embodiment is not provided with a recess 191. The pick-up rib 19A of the reference example interferes with the groove side surface of the connection portion 85c at the location indicated by the rectangular frame in Fig. 8, so that the inlet plug 5 gets stuck when inserted into the inlet 1. On the other hand, the pick-up rib 19 of the embodiment does not interfere with the connection portion 85c, so that no sticking occurs.

[0035] As described above, according to the connector fitting structure of the inlet 1 and the inlet plug 5 of this embodiment, the recess 191 is formed on the side of the pick-up rib 19. With this configuration, even if the pick-up rib 19 is inserted obliquely into the fitting guide groove 85, the recess 191 prevents interference between the pick-up rib 19 and the connecting portion 85c, and no catching occurs. Therefore, the inlet 1 and the inlet plug 5 can be fitted together smoothly. Therefore, the connector fitting structure of this embodiment is particularly useful when fitting the inlet 1 and the inlet plug 5 automatically or semi-automatically. In addition, since a plurality of recesses 191 are formed on one side of the pick-up rib 19, interference with the connecting portion 85c can be avoided at any of the recesses 191 even if the angle of entry of the pick-up rib 19 changes.

[0036] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately modified, improved, etc. In addition, the material, shape, size, number, arrangement location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiment are arbitrary as long as the present invention can be achieved, and are not limited.

[0037] For example, in the above embodiment, an inlet for use in an electric vehicle or the like is used as an example of a connector, but the connector of the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to various connectors based on the spirit of the present invention.

[0038] In the above embodiment, a plurality of recesses 191 are provided on both side surfaces of the picking up rib 19, but at least one recess 191 may be provided on the tip side of at least one side surface of the picking up rib 19. Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape or planar shape of the recess formed in the picking up rib 19 is not limited to a curved shape, and may be formed as a bent straight line, like the recess 191 provided in the picking up rib 19B shown in FIG.

[0039] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the pick-up rib 19 with the recess 191 is provided on the inlet 1, and the fitting guide groove 85 is provided on the inlet plug 5, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. It is sufficient that one of the two connectors to be fitted to each other is provided with a convex portion corresponding to the pick-up rib with the recess, and the other is provided with a guide groove into which the convex portion is inserted.

[0040] Here, the features of the connector fitting structure according to the embodiment of the present invention described above will be briefly summarized and listed in the following [1] to [5]. [1] A connector fitting structure for a first connector (inlet plug 5) and a second connector (inlet 1) that are fitted together and electrically connected to each other, The first connector (inlet plug 5) is a first housing (plug housing 80) that accommodates a first connection terminal; A guide groove (fitting guide groove 85) provided in the first housing, The guide groove (fitting guide groove 85) is a first groove portion (85a) extending along the connector fitting direction, a second groove portion (85b) gradually becoming wider from the first groove portion side toward the second connector side, and a connection portion (85c) connecting the first groove portion and the second groove portion, The second connector (inlet 1) is a second housing (outer case 51) for accommodating a second connection terminal; a projection (picking up rib 19) provided on the second housing and inserted into the guide groove; The protrusion has a recess (191) formed on the tip side of at least one side surface facing the groove side surface of the guide groove. Connector mating structure. [2] The convex portion (picking up rib 19) has the concave portion (191) formed on both side surfaces facing the groove side surface, The connector fitting structure described in [1] above. [3] The recessed portion (191) is formed in a plurality of portions at predetermined intervals along the connector fitting direction from the tip side of the protruding portion. The connector fitting structure described in [1] or [2] above. [4] The recess has a curved cross section in a plane along the bottom surface of the guide groove (fitting guide groove 85). A connector fitting structure according to any one of the above [1] to [3]. [5] At least one side surface of the protrusion (picking up rib 19) has a cross section having a sine wave shape. The connector fitting structure described in [4] above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1...Inlet (second connector) 5...Inlet plug (first connector) 19…Pick-up rib (convex part) 20. Housing 25…Front opening 51...Outer case (second housing) 80...Plug housing (first housing) 85...Mating guide groove (guide groove) 191…Recess

Claims

1. A connector fitting structure for a first connector and a second connector which are fitted together and electrically connected to each other, The first connector is a first housing that accommodates a first connection terminal; a guide groove provided in the first housing, The guide groove is a first groove portion extending along a connector fitting direction, a second groove portion formed to be gradually wider from the first groove portion side toward the second connector side, and a connection portion connecting the first groove portion and the second groove portion, The second connector is a second housing that accommodates the second connection terminal; an outer housing that accommodates and holds the second housing; a protrusion provided on the outer housing and inserted into the guide groove, The protrusion has a recess formed on a tip side of at least one side surface facing a groove side surface of the guide groove. Connector mating structure.

2. The protrusion has the recess formed on each of both side surfaces facing the groove side surface. The connector fitting structure according to claim 1 .

3. The recesses are formed in a plurality of the protrusions at predetermined intervals from the tip side along the connector fitting direction. The connector fitting structure according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The recess has a curved cross section in a plane along a bottom surface of the guide groove. The connector fitting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The at least one side surface of the protrusion has a cross section having a sine wave shape. The connector fitting structure according to claim 4.

6. The convex portion is located on the second connection terminal. The connector fitting structure according to claim 1 .

7. The guide groove is located above the first connection terminal. The connector fitting structure according to claim 1 .

8. The outer housing has a top plate, a side wall, and a bottom plate, The protrusion is disposed on the bottom surface of the top plate of the outer housing. The connector fitting structure according to claim 1 .

9. The convex portion has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with a rounded tip. The connector fitting structure according to claim 1 .

10. The second connection terminal is provided on a front wall of the second housing and accommodated in a terminal accommodating tube portion protruding toward the first connector. The connector fitting structure according to claim 1 .

Images