connector

Abstract

To provide a connector which is fixed to a mounted body in a fitting state where a mating housing and a housing are surely fitted.SOLUTION: A connector 1 comprises: a housing 11 which is fitted to a mating housing 21; a fixing member 30 which is assembled to the housing 11, moves between a temporary lock position and a final lock position after the fitting to the mating housing 21 and is fixed to a mounted body 40 at the final lock position; and a fitting detection unit 33 which detects and guarantees a regular fitting state of both the housings 11 and 21. A lock part 16 which temporarily locks and finally locks the fixing member 30 is provided in the housing 11. The fixing member 30 is integrally provided with the fitting detection unit 33, and is provided with a temporary lock part 36 and a final lock part 38 to which the lock part 16 of the housing 11 is locked. In a case where both the housings 11 and 21 are in the regular fitting state, the fixing member 30 is fixed to the mounted body 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector that is fixed to a mounting body such as a stay of a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of this type of connector is described in Patent Document 1. In this connector, a male connector housing and a female connector housing are fitted together, and the female connector housing is fixed to a mounting panel of a vehicle body or the like via an adapter. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-243106 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the conventional connector, if the male and female connector housings are mounted on a vehicle in a partially mated (semi-mated) state, there is a risk that the male and female connector housings may become detached due to vibrations while the vehicle is running, etc. This detachment will break the electrical connection between the male and female connector housings.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector that can be fixed to a mounting body in a state in which the mating housing and the housing are securely mated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A connector according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a housing that is mated with a mating housing, a fixing member that is assembled to the housing and that moves between a provisional locking position and a full locking position after mating with the mating housing and is fixed to the body to be attached at the full locking position, and a mating detection unit that detects and ensures the correct mating state of the two housings, wherein the housing is provided with a locking unit that provisionally locks and fully locks the fixing member, and the fixing member is integrally provided with the mating detection unit and is also provided with a provisional locking unit and a full locking unit to which the locking unit of the housing is engaged, and the fixing member is fixed to the body to be attached when the two housings are in the correct mating state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector that is fixed to a mounting body in a mating state where the housing and the mating housing are securely mated. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a male housing of the connector. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a through lock member assembled to the male housing. [Figure 4A] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the through-lock member has begun to be assembled into the male housing. [Figure 4B] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a through-lock member is assembled to the male housing. [Figure 5] 10 is a cross-sectional view of the connector in a provisionally locked state of the through lock member. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a cross-sectional view of the connector in a state where the through lock member is being inserted. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a cross-sectional view of the connector in the through lock member in a fully locked state. FIG. [Figure 8]10 is a cross-sectional view of the connector in a state where the through lock member is fixed to a stay of the vehicle. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a cross-sectional view of the connector in a partially fitted state when the through lock member is fixed to a stay of the vehicle. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A connector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a male housing of the connector. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a through lock member to be assembled to the male housing. FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing the state in which assembly of the through lock member to the male housing has begun. FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing the state in which the through lock member has been assembled to the male housing. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the connector with the through lock member in a provisionally locked state. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the connector with the through lock member in the middle of insertion. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the connector with the through lock member in a fully locked state. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the connector with the through lock member fixed to a vehicle stay. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the connector in a partially mated state when the through lock member is being fixed to a vehicle stay.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 and 5, the connector 1 comprises a male connector 10 having a male housing (housing) 11, and a female connector 20 having a female housing (mating housing) 21 that is mated with and disengaged from the male housing 11 of the male connector 10.

[0012] 1, male connector 10 includes male housing 11 made of synthetic resin, rubber packing 17 housed in front hood portion 11a of male housing 11, and cylindrical packing holder 18 made of synthetic resin that holds packing 17. Male terminals 19 having electric wires 19H crimped thereto are housed in terminal housing portion 11b of male housing 11.

[0013] Furthermore, the male connector 10 is equipped with a through-lock member (fixing member) 30 that is assembled to the male housing 11 and has an integral mating detection section (CPA: Connector Position assurance) 33 that detects and guarantees the correct mating state of both the male and female housings 11, 21.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, both side surfaces 11c, 11c of the male housing 11 are provided with concave elongated grooves (assembly guides) 12 for assembling the through lock member 30. Also, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, a flexible lock arm 13 is provided on the upper surface behind the hood portion 11a of the male housing 11. A lock protrusion (lock portion) 14 that engages with the lock protrusion 23 of the female housing 21 is provided on the base end 13a of this flexible lock arm 13. An operating portion 15 is provided on the tip end 13b of the flexible lock arm 13 for operating in a direction to release the locked state of the lock protrusion 14. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the rear portion of the underside of the male housing 11 has a concave notch 11d, and a locking portion 16 is provided at the rear end for provisionally and fully locking the through lock member 30.

[0015] 1 and 5, female connector 20 includes female housing 21 made of synthetic resin having locking projections (locked portions) 23 and terminal accommodating portions 22, female terminals (terminals) 24 accommodated in terminal accommodating portions 22, and electric wires 25 crimped and connected to female terminals 24. Female housing 21 of female connector 20 is adapted to be fitted into and removed from hood portion 11a of male housing 11 via cylindrical packing holder 18.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 8, the through lock member (fixing member) 30 is made of synthetic resin, is assembled to the male housing 11, and after the male and female housings 11, 21 are mated, moves from a temporary locking position to a full locking position and is fixed to the vehicle stay (mounted body) 40 at the full locking position. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4A, the through lock member 30 has a pair of side walls 31, 31 between which the male housing 11 is housed, and a bridge portion 32 that is connected so as to span the rear upper ends of the pair of side walls 31, 31 and has a mating detection portion 33 in its center.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a protrusion 33 serving as a mating detector is integrally formed at the center of the bridge portion 32. This protrusion 33 has the function of detecting whether the male and female housings 11, 21 are properly mated and ensuring the mating. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, when the male and female housings 11, 21 are properly mated, the protrusion 33 is located below the operating portion 15. This allows the through-lock member 30 to be fixed to the vehicle stay 40 when the male and female housings 11, 21 are properly mated. Also, as shown in FIG. 9, when the male and female housings 11, 21 are partially mated (semi-mated), the protrusion 33 abuts against the rear end surface (end surface) 15a of the operating portion 15. This prevents the through-lock member 30 from being fixed to the vehicle stay 40 when the male and female housings 11, 21 are partially mated (semi-mated).

[0018] 3 and 4A, a rail portion 34 that slides while being guided by the long groove portion 12 of the female housing 11 is provided on the upper end side of each inner surface 31a of the pair of side wall portions 31, 31 of the through lock member 30. In addition, a concave long groove portion (slide guide portion) 35 that guides the stay 40 is provided on the lower end side of each inner surface 31a of the pair of side wall portions 31, 31. Furthermore, a provisional locking protrusion (provisional locking portion) 36 that is locked to and released from the locking portion 16 of the male housing 11 is provided on the lower side of each inner surface 31a of the pair of side wall portions 31, 31.

[0019] 3 and 5, a flexible arm portion 37 is integrally provided between the lower sides of the inner surfaces 31a of the pair of side wall portions 31, 31 of the through lock member 30. A main locking protrusion (main locking portion) 38 that is engaged with and disengaged from the locking portion 16 of the male housing 11 is provided on the upper side of the tip of this flexible arm portion 37. In addition, a stay engaging protrusion 39 that is engaged with an engaging hole 41 of a stay 40 is provided on the lower side of the tip of the flexible arm portion 37.

[0020] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, vehicle stay 40, which serves as the object to be attached, is formed in the shape of a metal plate and has a rectangular engagement hole 41. When connector 1 is not fixed to vehicle stay 40, it can be used as a connector without assembling through-lock member 30 to male housing 11 of male connector 10, as shown in Figure 2. In other words, as shown in Figures 2 and 4B, the connector can be used with or without through-lock member 30, allowing for flexible use.

[0021] Next, in the connector 1 of the above embodiment, the transition from the temporary locking state (temporary locking position) of the through lock member 30 to the full locking state (full locking position) and the half-fitted state of the connector 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0022] 5, the through-lock member 30 is assembled to the male housing 11 of the male connector 10, and the provisional locking projections 36 of the through-lock member 30 are locked with the locking portions 16 of the male housing 11, thereby placing the through-lock member 30 in a provisionally locked state. In this provisionally locked state, the male housing 11 of the male connector 10 and the female housing 21 of the female connector 20 are mated, and the locking projections 23 of the female housing 21 are locked with the locking projections 14 of the locking arms 13 of the male housing 11, thereby placing the male and female housings 11, 21 in a mated state.

[0023] Next, as shown by the arrow in Figure 5, the through lock member 30 is slid toward the male housing 11, and as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the through lock member 30 is moved from the temporary locking position to the full locking position. This movement causes the full locking projections 38 of the through lock member 30 to lock into the locking portions 16 of the male housing 11, and the through lock member 30 enters a full locking state with respect to the male housing 11.

[0024] 7, when the through lock member 30 is in the fully locked state, the protrusion 33 of the through lock member 30 enters below the operating portion 15 of the lock arm 13, preventing the lock arm 13 from pivoting even if an inadvertent external force is applied to the operating portion 15. This prevention of the rocking displacement of the lock arm 13 maintains the locked state between the lock protrusion 14 of the lock arm 13 and the engaging protrusion 23 of the female housing 21, thereby maintaining the complete mated state of the male and female housings 11, 21. In other words, the protrusion 33, which serves as a mating detector, detects and ensures that the male and female housings 11, 21 are properly mated.

[0025] Next, as shown in Figure 8, with the male and female housings 11, 21 in a mated state and the through-lock member 30 in a fully locked state, the vehicle stay 40 is inserted into the long groove 35 of the through-lock member 30. Then, the engagement hole 41 of the stay 40 engages with the stay engagement protrusion 39 of the through-lock member 30, and the through-lock member 30 is fixed to the vehicle stay 40. As a result, the mated male connector 10 and female connector 20 are fixed to the vehicle stay 40.

[0026] 9, when the male and female housings 11, 21 are in a partially mated (semi-mated) state, the locking protrusion 14 and the engaging protrusion 23 of the locking arm 13 are not locked, causing the locking arm 13 to swing and displacing the operating portion 15 downward. In this state, even if an attempt is made to move the through-lock member 30 from the temporary locking position to the full locking position, the protrusion 33 of the through-lock member 30 abuts against the rear end surface 15a of the operating portion 15, preventing the through-lock member 30 from moving from the temporary locking position to the full locking position. As a result, it is easy to detect that the male and female housings 11, 21 are in a partially mated (semi-mated) state.

[0027] Furthermore, when the male and female housings 11, 21 are in a partially mated state, as shown in Figure 9, the arm portion 37 of the through lock member 30 is bent downward, preventing the partially mated connector 1 from being fixed to the vehicle stay 40. As a result, the male connector 10 and female connector 20 of the connector 1 are mounted on the vehicle in a securely mated state.

[0028] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

[0029] That is, in the above embodiment, a vehicle stay is used as the object to be attached, but other objects such as a panel or a bracket may also be used.

[0030] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the temporary locking portion is a temporary locking protrusion and the full locking portion is a full locking protrusion, but the locking portion of the male housing may be formed in a convex shape, and the temporary locking portion may be a temporary locking recess and the full locking portion may be a full locking recess. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 1 connector 11 Male housing (housing) 11c,11c both sides 12 Long groove (assembly guide) 13 Flexible locking arm 13a proximal end 13b tip 14 Locking protrusion (locking part) 15 Control section 15a Rear end surface (end surface) 16 Locking part 21 Female housing (mating housing) 23 Locking protrusion (locked part) 30 Thru-lock member (fixing member) 31, 31 Pair of side walls 32 Bridge section 33 Protrusion (Mating detection part: CPA) 34 Rail section 35 Long groove (slide guide) 36 Provisional locking protrusion (provisional locking portion) 37 Flexible arm 38 Main locking protrusion (main locking part) 39 Stay engagement protrusion 40 Vehicle stay (mounted body) 41 Engagement hole

Claims

1. a housing to be fitted into a mating housing; a fixing member that is assembled to the housing, moves between a temporary locking position and a final locking position after the housing is fitted to the mating housing, and is fixed to the mounting body at the final locking position; a mating detection unit that detects and ensures that the two housings are properly mated; Equipped with The housing is provided with a locking portion that temporarily locks and fully locks the fixing member, The fixing member is integrally provided with the fitting detection portion, and is also provided with a temporary locking portion and a full locking portion to which the locking portion of the housing is locked, the fixing member has a pair of side wall portions between which the housing is accommodated, and a bridge portion that is connected so as to span between the upper ends of the pair of side wall portions and has the fitting detection portion provided at its center, the object to be attached is a vehicle stay having an engagement hole, a flexible arm portion having a stay engaging protrusion that engages with the main locking portion and the engaging hole of the stay is provided between the pair of side wall portions of the fixing member; The connector has a fixing member fixed to the mounting body when the two housings are properly fitted together.

2. the housing has a flexible lock arm provided at its base end with a locking portion that is engaged with the locked portion of the mating housing, and at its tip end with an operating portion that is operated in a direction to release the locked state of the locking portion, When the two housings are properly fitted together, the fitting detection unit is located below the operation unit, 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the mating detection portion abuts against an end face of the operation portion when the two housings are in a partially mated state.

3. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the pair of side walls of the fixing member are provided with the provisional locking portions and with slide guide portions for guiding the stays.

4. assembly guide portions for assembling the fixing member are provided on both side surfaces of the housing, The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the pair of side walls of the fixing member are provided with rails that slide while being guided by the assembly guide portion.

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