connector

Abstract

To provide a connector including a structure which can realize a low height of the connector while suppressing an extension height of a lever arm to a connector main body.SOLUTION: A connector 100 comprises: a connector main body 110 that is provided with a lever arm 120 including a first lock part 123 that is locked to a locked member of a mating side connector 300 at the time of being fitted to the mating side connector 300; and a second lock part that is provided to the connector main body 110 so as to be freely slidable in a width direction orthogonal to a fitting direction with the mating side connector 300, and in which an engagement state with the connector main body 110 is cancelled by the mating side connector 300 when it is fitted with the mating side connector 300, and which regulates a cancelling operation from the locked member of the first lock part 123 by being further slid to a position interfering with the lever arm 120 in the width direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector, particularly a connector provided with a lock portion for integrally holding the connectors after the connectors are fitted together.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in order to maintain the fitted state of a connector, there is a type that moves a connector position assurance (CPA) member in the connector fitting direction and incorporates it into the connector body to operate.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a connector in which a slide member is inserted parallel to the connector fitting direction into a slide passage formed between an inner housing and a lock arm extending in the connector fitting direction. In this connector, the inner housing is fitted into the outer housing, and the lock arm is locked to the outer housing. Then, the slide member restricts the pressing-down operation of the locked lock arm so that unlocking cannot be performed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the connector position assurance mechanism having the configuration as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the slide member needs to be disposed below the lock arm even at the temporary locking position, and there is a problem that reduction in height cannot be achieved.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector having a structure capable of suppressing the extending height of a lever arm with respect to a connector body and achieving reduction in height of the connector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the connector of the present invention is A connector body equipped with a lever arm having a first locking portion that locks to a locking member of the mating connector when mated with the mating connector, The connector body is provided with a second locking part that is slidable in a width direction perpendicular to the mating direction with the mating connector, and when mated with the mating connector, the mating connector releases the locking state with the connector body, and further slides to a position in the width direction that interferes with the lever arm, thereby restricting the release operation of the first locking part from the locked member.

[0008] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the lever arm is connected to the connector body on one side and extends in the fitting direction such that the other side forms an arm displacement space between itself and the connector body, and the second locking portion is mounted on the connector body so as to take two positions in the width direction: a temporary locking position and a permanent locking position, located outside the arm displacement space in the width direction in the temporary locking position, and at least a portion of it is inserted into the arm displacement space in the permanent locking position to restrict the release operation of the lever arm.

[0009] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the connector body has a guide member extending in the width direction that guides the movement of the second locking portion in the width direction, and a locking member, the second locking portion has a straddle portion that straddles the guide member, a claw member that locks with the locking member at the temporary locking position, an arm restricting member that is inserted into the arm displacement space at the permanent locking position, and a connecting portion that elastically deformably connects the straddle portion and the claw member, the claw member being pressed in the fitting direction by the mating connector when the connector body is fitted with the mating connector, thereby releasing the locking state with the locking member.

[0010] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the guide member and the straddle portion have a fall prevention structure that prevents the second lock portion from falling off the guide member.

[0011] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the locking member is formed on the connector body as part of a rib extending in the fitting direction that guides the mating of the mating connector, and the claw member is locked to the part of the rib at the temporary locking position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, when the connector body and the mating connector are mated, the second locking portion moves from a temporary locking position that does not interfere with the lever arm to a permanent locking position that does interfere with the lever arm. As a result, the extension height of the lever arm relative to the connector body can be reduced, making it possible to reduce the height of the connector.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, since the second locking portion is not inserted into the arm displacement space in the temporary locking position, it is possible to reduce the height of the arm displacement space.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to ensure that the locking between the claw member and the locking member is released only when mating with the mating connector.

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, the second locking portion can be prevented from falling off the connector body.

[0016] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is no longer necessary to form the locking member for engaging the second locking portion and the rib for guiding the mating of the connector body as separate components. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] This is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the connector assembly of the embodiment. [Figure 2] It is an external perspective view of the female connector of the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3(A) is a top view of the female connector in FIG. 2, FIG. 3(B) is a rear view, FIG. 3(C) is a right side view, and FIG. 3(D) is a left side view. [Figure 4] FIG. 4(A) is a perspective view of the CPA member when viewed from the upper rear, FIG. 4(B) is a perspective view of the CPA member when viewed from a different orientation from the upper rear, and FIG. 4(C) is a perspective view of the CPA member when viewed from below. [Figure 5] FIG. 5(A) is a top view of the CPA member in FIG. 4, FIG. 5(B) is a right side view, FIG. 5(C) is a bottom view, FIG. 5(D) is a front view, and FIG. 5(E) is a rear view. [Figure 6] FIG. 6(A) is a top view of the connector assembly when the CPA member is in the temporary locking position when the female connector and the male connector are engaged, FIG. 6(B) is a rear view of FIG. 6(A), and FIG. 6(C) is a sectional view taken along the VIC-VIC line of FIG. 6(B). [Figure 7] FIG. 7(A) is a top view of the connector assembly when the female connector and the male connector are engaged and the CPA member is in a state of transitioning from the temporary locking position to the main locking position, FIG. 7(B) is a rear view of FIG. 7(A), and FIG. 7(C) is a sectional view taken along the VIIC-VIIC line of FIG. 7(B). [Figure 8] FIG. 8(A) is a top view of the connector assembly when the female connector and the male connector are fully engaged and the CPA member is in the main locking position, FIG. 8(B) is a rear view of FIG. 8(A), and FIG. 8(C) is a sectional view taken along the VIIIC-VIIIC line of FIG. 8(B).

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] The connector assembly 10 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below exemplifies and describes the female connector 100 of the connector assembly 10 as the connector of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this female connector 100. The present invention should be equally applicable to connectors in other forms described in the claims.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1, the connector assembly 10 includes a female connector 100, a connector position assurance member 200 (hereinafter referred to as the CPA member 200) as the second locking portion of the present invention, and a male connector 300 as the mating connector of the present invention. The female connector 100 is inserted into the fitting opening 310 of the male connector 300 and is fitted with the male connector 300. The CPA member 200 is provided on the connector body of the female connector 100 so as to be slidable in the width direction orthogonal to the fitting direction with respect to the male connector 300, and locks the two connectors so that they do not come off when the female connector 100 is completely fitted with the male connector 300.

[0020] In the following description, the direction in which the female connector 100 moves when it is fitted to the male connector 300 is referred to as the fitting direction, the direction orthogonal to the fitting direction and in which the CPA member 200 moves is referred to as the width direction, and the direction orthogonal to both the fitting direction and the width direction is referred to as the vertical direction. Also, the side of the female connector 100 facing the male connector 300 in the fitting direction is referred to as "front", and the opposite side is referred to as "rear".

[0021] As shown in Fig. 2, the female connector 100 includes a connector body housing 110 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The connector body housing 110 includes a lever arm 120, a guide member 130, and a rib 140. The connector body housing 110 is made of resin and is formed, for example, by injection molding. A plurality of terminal insertion openings 112 for inserting female terminals (not shown) are formed in the rear end surface 111 of the connector body housing 110 and are in conduction with a terminal accommodation chamber formed inside.

[0022] The front end 121 side of the lever arm 120 is connected to the front end of the upper surface 113 of the connector body housing 110 and extends rearward substantially parallel to the upper surface 113. A locking projection 123 as the first locking portion is formed to project upward at the central portion in the fitting direction on the upper surface 122 of the lever arm 120. This locking projection 123 is locked to a locking member (not shown) of the male connector 300 when being fitted with the male connector 300.

[0023] A release button 124 is formed on the rear end of the lever arm 120. An arm displacement space 125 is formed between the release button 124 and the upper surface 113 of the connector body housing 110, allowing the release button 124 to move vertically. When the female connector 100 is mated with the male connector 300, the user pushes the release button 124 downward. This releases the locking projection 123 from the locked member of the male connector 300, allowing the female connector 100 to be moved rearward in the mating direction and removed from the male connector 300.

[0024] A guide member 130 is formed on one side of the upper surface 113 of the connector body housing 110, on the widthwise outer side of the locking release button 124. The guide member 130 extends in the widthwise direction and guides the movement of the CPA member 200 in the widthwise direction. As shown in Figure 3(D), the guide member 130 has an L-shape in side view and has a guide base 131 that protrudes upward from the upper surface 113 of the connector body housing 110, and a head 132 that protrudes rearward from the guide base 131. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6(C), the guide base 131 has a shape in which the side farther from the locking release button 124 is thicker in the mating direction, and the side closer to it is thinner in the mating direction, and the boundary portion between them is the guide shoulder 133.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3(A), on the upper surface 113 of the connector body housing 110, a plurality of ribs 140 are formed parallel to each other and extend in the mating direction on both sides in the width direction of the lever arm 120. These ribs 140 are for guiding the mating of the male connector 300. The ribs 140 are convex members formed to protrude upward from the upper surface 113 along the mating direction. In this embodiment, the first rib 141 and the second rib 142 are formed on the right side of the lever arm 120 when viewed from the rear (left side when viewed from the front), and the third rib 143 and the fourth rib 144 are formed on the left side.

[0026] The first rib 141 and the second rib 142 are formed from the front end portion of the upper surface 113 of the connector body housing 110 toward the rear, and in a side view, they extend toward the front of the guide member 130 and the locking release button 124. In particular, the rear end portion of the first rib 141 functions as a locking member that holds the CPA member 200 in a temporary locking position, as will be described later. A CPA movement space 145 is formed between the first rib 141 and the second rib 142 and the guide base 131 of the guide member 130, with a gap large enough for the arm restricting member of the CPA member 200, which will be described later, to be interposed and deformably move. The rear end portion of the first rib 141 has an inclined surface 146 on the side facing the lever arm 120, which is beveled diagonally toward the front from the rear end. In addition, a first guide slot 147 is formed between the first rib 141 and the lever arm 120, and a second guide slot 148 is formed between the first rib 141 and the second rib 142.

[0027] The third rib 143 and the fourth rib 144 are formed from the front end portion of the upper surface 113 of the connector body housing 110 toward the rear, up to a block-shaped portion 114 formed on the rear end portion of the upper surface 113 of the connector body housing 110. A third guide slot 149 is formed between the third rib 143 and the lever arm 120, and a fourth guide slot 150 is formed between the third rib 143 and the fourth rib 144.

[0028] Next, the CPA member 200 will be described. As shown in Figures 4(A)-4(C) and 5(A)-5(E), the CPA member includes a straddle portion 210 that spans the guide member 130, an arm restricting member 220, a claw member 230, and a connecting portion 240. The straddle portion 210 has a top plate portion 211 that extends in the fitting direction and the width direction. A side plate portion 212 is provided almost vertically downward from the rear end of the top plate portion 211, and extends in the vertical direction and the width direction. Furthermore, a flange portion 213 is provided extending parallel to the top plate portion 211 from the lower end of the side plate portion 212 toward the front in the fitting direction. On one side end of this flange portion 213 in the width direction, that is, the side that is on the lever arm 120 side when the CPA member 200 is attached to the guide member 130, a guide claw portion 214 is formed that protrudes toward the front in the fitting direction.

[0029] On the underside of the top plate portion 211, an auxiliary guide projection 215 is formed parallel to the side plate portion 212, projecting approximately vertically downwards towards the front in the fitting direction. Therefore, the guide member 130 fits into the L-shaped space enclosed by the top plate portion 211, the side plate portion 212, the flange portion 213, and the auxiliary guide projection 215. In this way, the straddle portion 210 is mounted so as to straddle the guide member 130, and the CPA member 200 is movable in the width direction along the guide member 130. In addition, the straddle portion 210 and the guide member 130 are prevented from moving upwards by the flange portion 213 being prevented from moving upwards by the head portion 132 of the guide member 130, and the guide claw portion 214 is locked to the guide shoulder portion. This constitutes an anti-detachment structure that prevents detachment upwards and outwards in the width direction.

[0030] A slot 216 extending in the fitting direction is formed in the top plate portion 211. The portion outside the widthwise direction of this slot 216 is a connecting portion 240 that extends vertically downward from the top plate portion 211, and is separated from the other parts of the top plate portion 211 and the auxiliary guide projection 215, allowing the connecting portion 240 to shift independently.

[0031] An arm restricting member 220 is provided at the lower end of the connecting portion 240, extending in the width direction and projecting towards the center from the widthwise side end of the top plate portion 211 when viewed from above. The arm restricting member 220 has a thickness in the vertical direction that is approximately equal to or slightly smaller than the protrusion height from the upper surface 113 of the rib 140 of the connector body housing 110. Furthermore, a claw member 230 is formed on the front side of the arm restricting member 220 in the fitting direction, projecting forward in the fitting direction and engaging with the first rib 141 when the CPA member 200 is in the temporary locking position. The claw member 230 includes a first claw member 231 provided on the outer side in the width direction and a second claw member 232 provided on the center side in the width direction. In other words, the connecting portion 240 elastically deformably connects the straddle portion 210 and the arm restricting member 220 on which the claw member 230 is formed.

[0032] Next, the male connector 300, which serves as the mating connector, will be described. As shown in Figure 1, the male connector 300 has a roughly box-shaped male housing 320 formed by injection molding of resin or the like, with a mating opening 310 formed at the rear in the mating direction. Mounting fixtures 330 for mounting on a printed circuit board (not shown) are attached to the widthwise side of the male housing 320. In addition, a plurality of male terminals 340 made of a conductive material are fixed to the front surface of the male housing 320 in the mating direction so as to protrude into the mating opening 310.

[0033] Furthermore, a plurality of rib guides 322 projecting downward are formed on the lower surface of the upper plate 321 of the male housing 320 along the mating direction. These rib guides 322 fit into and slide in the first guide slot 147 to the fourth guide slot 150 described above, guiding the insertion of the female connector 100 into the male housing 320.

[0034] Next, the assembly and operation of the connector assembly 10 will be described. First, the CPA member 200 is placed on the connector body housing 110 of the female connector 100 so as to take two positions in the width direction: a temporary locking position and a permanent locking position. That is, the straddle portion 210 of the CPA member 200 is attached so as to straddle the guide member 130. In the temporary locking position, as particularly shown in Figure 6(C), the guide claw portion 214 of the CPA member 200 is locked to the guide shoulder portion 133 so as not to move outward in the width direction. In addition, the arm restricting member 220 is located in the CPA movement space 145, and the first claw member 231 enters into the second guide slot 148 between the first rib 141 and the second rib 142 and locks to the rear end portion of the first rib 141. As a result, the CPA member 200 takes a temporary locking position in which movement toward the center in the width direction is prevented. In this temporary locking position, the CPA member 200 is located on the outside in the width direction of the arm displacement space 125. In other words, the tip portion of the arm restricting member 220 on the width direction side does not reach the arm displacement space 125 between the locking release button 124 and the upper surface 113 of the connector body housing 110, and the locking release button 124 is movable in the vertical direction.

[0035] Next, with the CPA member 200 attached, the connector body housing 110 of the female connector 100 is inserted into the mating opening 310 of the male housing 320 of the male connector 300. At this time, the rib guide 322 formed on the lower surface of the upper plate 321 of the male housing 320 fits into the first guide slot 147 to the fourth guide slot 150 and slides, guiding the insertion of the connector body housing 110 of the female connector 100 into the male housing 320.

[0036] Next, as shown in Figures 7(A)-7(C), the female connector 100 is inserted into the male housing 320 of the male connector 300, facing forward in the mating direction, to achieve a mated state. At this time, the locking projection 123 of the lever arm 120 is locked to a locking member (not shown) formed on the lower surface of the upper plate 321 of the male connector 300. Also, the female terminal (not shown) and the male terminal 340 are connected to each other, becoming electrically conductive.

[0037] Furthermore, at this time, the CPA member 200 is mounted so that its straddle portion 210 straddles the guide member 130, making it impossible to move it forward or backward in the fitting direction. On the other hand, the connecting portion 240 and the arm restricting member 220 can be shifted using the connection portion between the connecting portion 240 and the top plate portion 211 as a pivot point via the slot 216. As a result, as shown in particular in Figure 7(C), the rear end of the rib guide 322 of the male connector 300 comes into contact with the first claw member 231 and is pressed backward in the fitting direction. The first claw member 231 then moves backward in the fitting direction of the second guide slot 148. This causes the tip portion of the arm restricting member 220 on the widthwise side to shift backward in the fitting direction, releasing the locking state between the first claw member 231 and the first rib 141. At this time, the CPA member 200 becomes movable toward the widthwise center. In other words, the CPA member 200 is released from its locking state with the connector body housing 110 when the male connector 300 is mated.

[0038] Next, as shown in Figures 8(A)-8(C), the CPA member 200 is slid toward the center in the width direction to the main locking position where it interferes with the locking release button 124 of the lever arm 120. In other words, when the CPA member 200 is slid toward the center in the width direction, the first claw member 231 overcomes the first rib 141, the displacement of the arm restricting member 220 returns to its original state, and it enters the first guide slot 147. Then, the tip portion of the arm restricting member 220 on the width direction center side reaches the arm displacement space 125 between the locking release button 124 and the upper surface 113 of the connector body housing 110, making it impossible for the locking release button 124 to move downward. In other words, at the main locking position, the arm restricting member 220 is inserted into the arm displacement space 125. As a result, the lever arm 120 is unable to move vertically within the mating opening 310 of the male housing 320, and the operation of releasing the locking projection 123 from the locked member formed on the lower surface of the upper plate 321 of the male connector 300 is restricted.

[0039] To release the mating between the female connector 100 and the male connector 300, first, the CPA member 200 is moved outward in the width direction. When this occurs, the first claw member 231 of the CPA member 200 comes into contact with the inclined surface 146 of the first rib 141, causing the first claw member 231 to be pressed rearward in the mating direction, and the arm restricting member 220 moves rearward in the mating direction. At this time, the tip portion of the arm restricting member 220 on the width direction side is retracted outward in the width direction from the arm displacement space 125 between the locking release button 124 and the upper surface 113 of the connector body housing 110, and the locking release button 124 becomes movable downward. As a result, the lever arm 120 can move downward inside the mating opening 310 of the male housing 320, and the lock projection 123 can be released from the locked member formed on the lower surface of the upper plate 321 of the male connector 300. The first claw member 231 moves behind the second guide slot 148, overcoming the rear end of the first rib 141. However, since the rib guide 322 is interposed in the second guide slot 148, the first claw member 231 is pressed against the rear side of the rib guide 322.

[0040] By pressing the release button 124 downwards, the locking projection 123 is released from the locked member of the male connector 300, and the female connector 100 is pulled out from the mating opening 310 of the male connector 300 in the rearward direction, thereby detaching the female connector 100 from the male connector 300. At this time, the arm restricting member 220 returns to its original position after being displaced rearward in the fitting direction, and the first claw member 231 enters the second guide slot 148 and locks into the rear end portion of the first rib 141. The arm restricting member 220 is also positioned in the CPA movement space 145. As a result, the CPA member 200 is in a temporary locking state in which movement toward the center in the width direction is prevented. In addition, the guide claw portion 214 locks into the guide shoulder portion 133, preventing the CPA member 200 from moving outward in the width direction.

[0041] The configuration and operation of the connector assembly 10 in this embodiment have been described above. In the above embodiment, the rear end portion of the first rib 141 formed on the connector body housing 110 was used as a locking member, and the first claw member 231 of the CPA member 200 was locked in place. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The rear end portion of any of the second rib 142 to the fourth rib 144 may be used as a locking member and locked in place with any of the claw members formed on the CPA member 200.

[0042] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the guide member 130 was positioned on the upper surface 113 of the connector body housing 110, to the right when viewed from the rear in the mating direction (left when viewed from the front) relative to the lever arm 120, and the CPA member 200 was positioned there. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the guide member 130 and the CPA member 200 may be provided on the left side when viewed from the rear in the mating direction. Alternatively, the lever arm 120, the guide member 130, and the CPA member 200 may be provided on the lower surface of the connector body housing 110.

[0043] Furthermore, although the above embodiment described a case where two ribs are formed on each side in the width direction of the lever arm 120, the present invention is not limited to this. At least one rib is required to be formed on the side where the CPA member 200 is placed, and two, three or more ribs may be formed. Also, different numbers of ribs may be formed on the left and right sides in the width direction. Also, the spacing between ribs may be different on the left and right sides. In that case, by forming rib guides of the corresponding number and width on the male connector 300, a misconnection identification function can be provided to distinguish whether different types of connectors have been connected. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0044] 10 Connector Assembly 100 Female Connectors 110 Connector body housing 111 Rear end surface 112 Terminal insertion slot 113 Top surface 114 Block-shaped part 115 Contact surface 120 Lever Arm 121 Front end 122 Top 123 Locking protrusion 124 Release button 125 Arm displacement space 130 Guide member 131 Guide base 132 Head 133 Guide shoulder section 140 Ribs 141 First Rib 142 Second Rib 143 Third Rib 144 Fourth Rib 145 CPA movement space 146 Slope 147 First Guide Slot 148 Second Guide Slot 149 Third Guide Slot 150 Fourth Guide Slot 200 Connector Positioning Assurance (CPA) Components 210 Straddle part 211 Top panel 212 Side plate part 213 Flange section 214 Guide claw section 215 Auxiliary guide projection 216 slots 220 Arm regulating member 230 Claw member 231 First claw member 232 Second claw member 240 Connection part 300 Male Connectors 310 Fitting opening 320 Male Housing 321 Top plate 322 Rib Guide 340 male terminal

Claims

1. A connector body equipped with a lever arm having a first locking portion that locks to a locking member of the mating connector when mated with the mating connector, A connector comprising: a connector body provided so as to be slidable in a width direction perpendicular to the mating direction with the mating connector, and a second locking part which, when mated with the mating connector, is released from the locking state with the connector body by the mating connector, and further slides to a position in the width direction to interfere with the lever arm, thereby restricting the release operation of the first locking part from the locked member, The lever arm extends in the fitting direction such that one end is connected to the connector body and the other end forms an arm displacement space between itself and the connector body. The second locking portion is mounted on the connector body so as to take two positions in the width direction: a temporary locking position and a permanent locking position. In the temporary locking position, it is located on the outside of the arm displacement space in the width direction, and in the permanent locking position, at least a portion of it is inserted into the arm displacement space to restrict the release operation of the lever arm. The connector body has a guide member extending in the width direction that guides the movement of the second locking portion in the width direction, and a locking member formed on the connector body as part of a rib extending in the fitting direction that guides the fitting of the mating connector. The second locking portion includes a straddle portion that spans the guide member, a claw member that engages with the locking member which is a part of the rib at the temporary locking position, an arm restricting member that is inserted into the arm displacement space at the permanent locking position, and a connecting portion that elastically deformably connects the straddle portion and the claw member. The aforementioned claw member is released from its locking state with the locking member when the connector body is mated with the mating connector and is pressed in the mating direction by the mating connector.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the guide member and the straddle portion have a fall prevention structure that prevents the second locking portion from falling off the guide member.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the rib extends elongated along the fitting direction, and the locking member is the rear end portion of the rib.

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