Connector fitting structure

Abstract

To provide a connector mating structure capable of suppressing rattling between connectors in a fitted state and reduction of engagement margin of a lock arm while providing a clearance between mutually fitting connectors.SOLUTION: A connector mating structure 1 includes a first connector 2 and a second connector 6 that fit together, and a mating guarantee member 4 movably assembled to the first connector 2. The fit guarantee member 4 is assembled to the first connector 2 so as to be movable from an initial position away from the second connector 6 to a fit guarantee position close to the second connector 6. The mating guarantee member 4 is provided with a pressing portion 44 that presses a lock arm 3 of the first connector 2 toward a locked portion 63 of the second connector 6 in the mating guaranteed position to restrict the amount of engagement between the lock arm 3 and the locked portion 63 to be reduced.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector fitting structure equipped with a fitting assurance member. [Background technology]

[0002] Connectors with a mating assurance member have been known for some time. A connector 310 with a mating assurance member shown in Fig. 10 has a mating assurance member 350 movably assembled to a connector housing 320, and is mated with a mating connector 360. Furthermore, an abutting portion 324 of a locking arm 325 of the connector 310 engages with an abutment release portion (locked portion) 372 of the mating connector 360, thereby maintaining the mated state of the connector 310 and the mating connector 360 (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] The mating assurance member 350 moves (in the direction of arrow X) between an initial position away from the mating connector 360 and a mating assurance position (position shown in FIG. 10 ) close to the mating connector 360, and is a member that ensures complete mating between the connector 310 and the mating connector 360 when in the mating assurance position. The mating assurance member 350 has a beam portion 353 that protrudes toward the mating connector 360. When the mating assurance member 350 is in the initial position, the tip of the beam portion 353 abuts against the abutment portion 324, thereby restricting movement to the mating assurance position. When the connector 310 and the mating connector 360 are mated, the abutment release portion 372 presses the tip of the beam portion 353, releasing the beam portion 353 from abutment against the abutment portion 324, allowing movement of the mating assurance member 350 to the mating assurance position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-79638 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Generally, a clearance is provided between connectors that mate with each other, taking into consideration dimensional tolerances, assembly tolerances, etc., and the same clearance is provided between the connector 310 and the mating connector 360 described above. However, because this clearance is provided, there are problems such as rattle occurring between the connector 310 and the mating connector 360, and the engagement allowance (see T1 in FIG. 10) between the contact portion 324 and the contact release portion 372 temporarily decreasing, making them more likely to come off. Note that rattle between the connector 310 and the mating connector 360 is undesirable because it can cause abnormal noise when they are mounted on a moving object.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector fitting structure that can provide clearance between mated connectors while suppressing rattling between the connectors in a mated state and a reduction in the engagement allowance of the locking arms. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The connector fitting structure of the present invention comprises a first connector and a second connector that are fitted to each other, and a mating assurance member that is movably assembled to the first connector, wherein the mating assurance member is movable in the mating direction of the first connector to the second connector and is movable from an initial position away from the second connector to a mating assurance position close to the second connector, and the first connector comprises a housing main body that accommodates terminals, and an elastically deformable locking arm that is connected to the upper surface of the housing main body, extends in a cantilevered manner, and engages with the locked portion of the second connector to maintain the mated state of the first connector and the second connector, and the mating assurance member is provided with a pressing portion that is positioned between the free end of the locking arm and the upper surface of the housing main body at the mating assurance position and presses the locking arm toward the locked portion away from the upper surface of the housing main body, thereby preventing a reduction in the engagement between the locking arm and the locked portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector fitting structure that can prevent rattling between the connectors in a fitted state and a reduction in the engagement allowance of the locking arms while maintaining clearance between the connectors. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is an exploded view of a connector fitting structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the first connector and the second connector of FIG. 1 are mated and the mating assurance member is positioned at an initial position. [Figure 3] 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the fit assurance member of FIG. 2 is positioned at a fit assurance position. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the first connector of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] 2 is a perspective view of the fitting assurance member of FIG. 1 as seen from a different angle. [Figure 6] 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a state in which the mating assurance member of FIG. 1 is assembled to the first connector and positioned at an initial position. FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view of the mating assurance member and the first connector of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a conventional connector with a mating connector is mated with the mating connector, and the mating connector is positioned at the mating position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A connector fitting structure according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0011] The connector fitting structure 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3, 8, and 9 includes a first connector 2 and a second connector 6 that mate with each other, and a mating assurance member 4 movably assembled to the first connector 2. The mating assurance member 4 is assembled to the first connector 2 so as to be movable from an initial position (Figures 2 and 8) away from the second connector 6 to a mating assurance position (Figures 3 and 9) close to the second connector 6, and can be moved to the mating assurance position when the first connector 2 and the second connector 6 are mated. Arrow K in Figure 9 indicates the mating direction of the first connector 2 to the second connector 6. The mating assurance member 4 is assembled to the first connector 2 so as to be movable in the mating direction. Furthermore, arrow L in Figure 9 indicates the removal direction, which is opposite to the mating direction.

[0012] The first connector 2 includes a plurality of female terminals and a female housing 20 that accommodates the female terminals. The female housing 20 is made of insulating synthetic resin. The female housing 20 integrally includes a rectangular parallelepiped female housing main body 21 in which a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 29 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) are formed, a lock arm 3, a pair of vertical wall portions 23, a bridging portion 24, and a pair of second retaining projections 27.

[0013] 1, the locking arm 3 includes an elastically deformable arm portion 30 that extends rearward in a cantilevered manner from the front end of the upper surface 22 of the female housing main body 21, and a locking portion 33 that protrudes upward (opposite the upper surface 22) from the middle portion of the arm portion 30. The locking arm 3 maintains the mated state of the first connector 2 and the second connector 6 by engaging the locking portion 33 with the locked portion 63 of the second connector 6.

[0014] In this specification, with respect to the first connector 2, the side of the second connector 6 in the mating direction is referred to as the "front," and the side away from the second connector 6 in the mating direction is referred to as the "rear." Furthermore, the upward direction in the plane of FIG. 9, which is perpendicular to the mating direction, is referred to as the "top," and the downward direction in the plane of FIG. 9 is referred to as the "bottom." Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to these front-to-back and up-to-down directions is referred to as the "width direction." Furthermore, the mating assurance member 4 will be described based on the front-to-back, up-to-down, and width directions of the first connector 2 when assembled to the first connector 2.

[0015] In this specification, the connecting portion of the arm portion 30 with the upper surface 22 of the female housing main body 21 is referred to as the "fixed end" and is designated by the reference numeral 31. The end of the arm portion 30 opposite the fixed end 31 that is not connected to the female housing main body 21 is referred to as the "free end" and is designated by the reference numeral 32.

[0016] The arm portion 30 has a slit 36 ​​formed therein, extending from near the fixed end 31 toward the free end 32. The locking portion 33 bridges the portions of the arm portion 30 separated by the slit 36. The portion of the slit 36 ​​closer to the free end 32 than the locking portion 33 is referred to as the "rear portion of the slit" and is designated by the reference numeral 34. The portion of the slit 36 ​​closer to the fixed end 31 than the locking portion 33 is referred to as the "front portion of the slit" and is designated by the reference numeral 35.

[0017] A pair of upright wall portions 23 extend upright from the upper surface 22 of the female housing main body 21. The pair of upright wall portions 23 face each other with a gap in the width direction of the female housing main body 21. The rear half of the lock arm 3, including the free end portion 32, is positioned between the pair of upright wall portions 23. A bridging portion 24 connects the front ends of the pair of upright wall portions 23. As shown in FIG. 4 , guide grooves 25 that guide the movement of the mating assurance member 4 are formed on the inner surfaces of the pair of upright wall portions 23 facing each other. Each guide groove 25 extends in the mating direction. Furthermore, a step portion 26 that prevents the mating assurance member 4 from coming off is formed on a surface 25a of the inner surface of each guide groove 25 that faces the upper surface 22 of the female housing main body 21.

[0018] The pair of second retaining projections 27 are for preventing the fitting assurance member 4 from coming off, and are provided on the upper surface 22 of the housing body 21 and behind the stepped portion 26 .

[0019] The second connector 6 includes a plurality of male terminals and a male housing 60 that accommodates these male terminals. The male housing 60 is made of insulating synthetic resin and includes a accommodating section 61 that accommodates the plurality of male terminals and receives the female housing 20. The accommodating section 61 is formed in a box shape that opens to the first connector 2 side.

[0020] A through hole 62 is formed in the upper wall of the accommodating portion 61, in which the front half of the locking arm 3 including the locking portion 33 is positioned. In this specification, the portion of the upper wall of the accommodating portion 61 that is closer to the first connector 2 than the through hole 62 is referred to as the "locked portion" and is given the reference numeral 63.

[0021] "The locking portion 33 is engaged with the locked portion 63" means that the locking portion 33 is positioned in the through-hole 62 and in front of the locked portion 63 (see Figures 2, 8, and 9). Also, "the overlap between the locking arm 3 and the locked portion 63" means the amount of overlap between the locking portion 33 and the locked portion 63 in the vertical direction. T in Figure 9 indicates the overlap between the locking arm 3 and the locked portion 63.

[0022] The fitting assurance member 4 is made of insulating synthetic resin and integrally includes a block-shaped base 40, an arm 41, an engaging protrusion 42, a pair of guide ribs 43, a pressing portion 44, an operating portion 45, a pair of retaining protrusions 46, and a pair of third retaining protrusions 47, as shown in Figures 1, 5 to 7.

[0023] The arm 41 is connected to the front end of the base 40 and extends forward and upward in a rod-like shape. The arm 41 is formed to be elastically deformable as indicated by the dashed and solid lines in FIG. 8 . The engagement protrusion 42 protrudes upward from the tip of the arm 41. When the fit assurance member 4 is positioned in the initial position, the engagement protrusion 42 is positioned in the slit rear portion 34 described above. At this time, the lock portion 33 is positioned in front of the engagement protrusion 42, thereby restricting movement of the fit assurance member 4 to the fit assurance position. Furthermore, when the fit assurance member 4 is positioned in the fit assurance position, the engagement protrusion 42 is positioned in the slit front portion 35 described above. At this time, the lock portion 33 is positioned behind the engagement protrusion 42, thereby restricting movement of the fit assurance member 4 to the initial position.

[0024] A pair of guide ribs 43 are provided on both widthwise sides of the base 40, and extend long and thin in the fitting direction. Each guide rib 43 is positioned in a corresponding one of the guide grooves 25 described above. A pair of retaining projections 46 are provided on the front end of each of the pair of guide ribs 43. Each retaining projection 46 engages with a corresponding one of the stepped portions 26 described above (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

[0025] A pair of third retaining projections 47 are provided on the bottom surface of the base 40. Each third retaining projection 47 engages with each second retaining projection 27 described above (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

[0026] The operating portion 45 is connected to the upper and rear ends of the base portion 40. The operating portion 45 is a portion that is pressed when the fit assurance member 4 is moved from the initial position to the fit assurance position.

[0027] The pressing portion 44 is a part of the base 40 and is configured at the upper and front end of the base 40. As shown in FIG. 9 , when the base 40 is in the mating guaranteed position, its front half is positioned between the free end 32 of the locking arm 3 and the upper surface 22 of the housing main body 21. At this time, the upper and front end of the base 40, i.e., the pressing portion 44, presses the free end 32 of the locking arm 3 upward (in the direction of arrow M, toward the locked portion 63 away from the upper surface 22 of the housing main body 21). This causes the arm portion 30 of the locking arm 3 to be pressed against the locked portion 63, thereby eliminating the clearance originally provided between the female housing 20 and the accommodating portion 61 and suppressing rattle between the first connector 2 and the second connector 6. In addition, a decrease in the engagement allowance T between the locking arm 3 and the locked portion 63 is restricted.

[0028] 1, the mating assurance member 4 is assembled to the first connector 2 by positioning the pair of guide ribs 43 in the pair of guide grooves 25 from the rear of the first connector 2, respectively, and by engaging the respective retaining projections 46 with the respective stepped portions 26 and, at the same time, engaging the respective third retaining projections 47 with the respective second retaining projections 27. Then, by positioning the engaging projections 42 in the slit rear portions 34, movement of the mating assurance member 4 in the mating direction is restricted, and the mating assurance member 4 is maintained in its initial position.

[0029] As described above, in this example, the guide groove 25 and the guide rib 43 serve both as a guide for the mating assurance member 4 and as a fall-off prevention function. In addition, in this example, the second and third retaining projections 27 and 47 also provide a fall-off prevention function, which more reliably prevents the mating assurance member 4 from falling off (synonymous with retaining). More specifically, if an external force (see arrow F in FIG. 7) is applied to the mating assurance member 4 during transport or other such operation of the first connector 2 to which the mating assurance member 4 is attached, the retaining projection 46 is pressed downward (see arrow N in FIG. 7) by the stepped portion 26. This maintains the engagement allowance between the second and third retaining projections 27 and 47, more reliably preventing the mating assurance member 4 from falling off.

[0030] In this example, the engagement of the engagement guarantee member 4 is prevented by both the "engagement between the anti-slip protrusion 46 and the step portion 26" and the "engagement between the second anti-slip protrusion 27 and the third anti-slip protrusion 47," but in the present invention, one of these may be omitted if priority is given to simplifying the structure.

[0031] When mating the first connector 2 and the second connector 6, the mating assurance member 4 is assembled to the first connector 2 and positioned in the initial position as described above, and then the first connector 2 is inserted into the accommodating portion 61 of the second connector 6. Then, as the first connector 2 and the second connector 6 are mated, the locking portion 33 of the locking arm 3 simultaneously engages with the locked portion 63 of the second connector 6. Furthermore, as the locking portion 33 engages with the locked portion 63, the engaging protrusion 42 is pressed against the locked portion 63, causing the arm 41 to bend. This disables the locking portion 33's restriction on the movement of the mating assurance member 4. In other words, the mating assurance member 4 becomes movable from the initial position to the mating assurance position. By pushing the mating assurance member 4 from this state to the mating assurance position, the engaging protrusion 42 is positioned in the slit front portion 35. This maintains the mating assurance member 4 in the mating assurance position. Furthermore, when the mating assurance member 4 is positioned at the mating assurance position, the pressing portion 44 presses the free end portion 32 of the lock arm 3 upward, as described above.

[0032] In this way, the connector fitting structure 1 is configured such that the fitting assurance member 4 cannot move to the fitting assurance position unless the first connector 2 is completely mated with the second connector 6. Therefore, when the fitting assurance member 4 has been moved to the fitting assurance position, it can be guaranteed that the first connector 2 and the second connector 6 are completely mated.

[0033] As described above, according to the connector fitting structure 1 of this example, when in the mating assurance position, the pressing portion 44 of the mating assurance member 4 presses the free end portion 32 of the locking arm 3 upward, thereby restricting a decrease in the engagement allowance T between the locking arm 3 and the locked portion 63. This reliably ensures a mating retention force for maintaining the mated state between the first connector 2 and the second connector 6. Furthermore, the pressing force of the pressing portion 44 presses the arm portion 30 of the locking arm 3 against the locked portion 63, thereby suppressing rattle between the first connector 2 and the second connector 6. Therefore, when the connector fitting structure 1 is mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle, abnormal noise due to rattle can be suppressed.

[0034] The above-described embodiment merely shows a typical form of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. In other words, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the gist of the present invention. As long as such modifications still include the configuration of the present invention, they are of course included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1. Connector fitting structure 2 First Connector 3 Lock Arm 4. Mating assurance member 6 Second Connector 44 Pressing part 63 Locked part

Claims

1. a first connector and a second connector that mate with each other, and a mating assurance member that is movably assembled to the first connector; the mating assurance member is movable in a mating direction of the first connector to the second connector, and is movable from an initial position away from the second connector to a mating assurance position close to the second connector, the first connector comprises a housing main body that accommodates terminals, and an elastically deformable locking arm that is connected to an upper surface of the housing main body, extends in a cantilevered manner, and engages with a locked portion of the second connector to maintain a mated state between the first connector and the second connector; The mating assurance member is provided with a pressing portion that is located between the free end of the locking arm and the upper surface of the housing body at the mating assurance position and presses the locking arm toward the locked portion away from the upper surface of the housing body, thereby preventing a reduction in the engagement allowance between the locking arm and the locked portion. A connector fitting structure characterized by:

2. When the fitting assurance member is positioned at the fitting assurance position, the lock arm is pressed against the locked portion by the pressing portion.

2. The connector fitting structure according to claim 1.

3. the first connector includes a pair of upright walls that are continuous with an upper surface of the housing body and position the free end of the lock arm between them; A guide groove extending in the fitting direction is formed on the inner surfaces of the pair of upright wall portions facing each other, a step portion for preventing the fitting assurance member from coming off is formed on the inner surface of each guide groove on a surface facing the upper surface of the housing body, The fitting assurance member is provided with a pair of guide ribs that are positioned in the guide grooves, Each of the guide ribs is provided with a retaining protrusion that engages with each of the stepped portions.

3. The connector fitting structure according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a second retaining projection for retaining the fitting assurance member on the upper surface of the housing body; The fitting assurance member is provided with a third retaining projection that engages with the second retaining projection.

4. The connector fitting structure according to claim 3.

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