JP2000113938A - Cam drive connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cam drive connector absorbing a positional deviation for sure engagement. SOLUTION: A cam slide 4 is arranged in a housing 2 slidably. Inside the housing 2, an inner housing 6 arranged on the inside of the cam slide 4 is driven by the cam slide 4 so as to be moved in the inserting/retracting direction of the connector 1. A bracket 8 is arranged in the rear part of the housing 2, a U-shaped arm 62 of the bracket 8 is positioned in the front part of a pocket 20 in the housing 2, and a coil spring 40 is arranged between the rear face of the housing 2 and the bracket 8. In this way, the housing 2 is held freely movably to the bracket 8. A cam groove 32 on the outside of a cam plate 26 is engaged with a counterpart connector 110, while a cam groove 32 on the inside is engaged with the inner housing 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cam-driven connector, and more particularly, to a freely movable cam-driven connector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a cam drive type connector is disclosed in
Various types are known as disclosed in JP-A-250216 and JP-A-9-320885. These include those that connect electric wires to each other or those that are fixed to other members. In the case of a connector fixed to another member, the other connector is attached to the end of the electric wire, so that the attachment position, that is, the mating surface of the connector can be visually confirmed at the time of attachment. Therefore, in such a case, there is no problem of misalignment between the connectors, but there is a case where the fitting surface between the connectors cannot be confirmed, that is, a blind fitting is required in some cases.

[0003] In general connectors, those having a floating function to cope with this positional shift,
That is, a floating type is known. As an example of this, a floating connector 200 shown in FIG.
No. 231840. The connector 200 is attached to one substrate 202 by surface mounting, and the connector 206 attached to the other substrate 204.
Mates with The housing 210 of the connector 200 has fittings 212 at both ends. The attachment 212 includes a surface mounting portion 214 mounted on the substrate 202 and a bent portion 218.
Having. The terminal 216 has a similar shape, and the entire housing 210 can be swayed. The displacement between the connectors is absorbed by the bending of the attachment 212 and the terminals 216 in this manner.

[0004]

In the prior art described above, the connector having the cam slide is not of the floating type, and even in the case of the floating type connector, it can be moved only in a specific direction, that is, in the thickness direction of the terminal or the mounting fixture. Met. Therefore, it has been difficult to blindly fit a multipolar connector having a large insertion / extraction force. In addition, a sufficient function cannot be exhibited depending on the direction of displacement of the conventional floating connector. Further, when an external force is applied to the connector at the time of insertion / removal or the like, an excessive force is applied to the connector, and there is a possibility that the terminal or the like may be deformed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and is capable of coping with misalignment in all directions, and prevents deformation of a terminal even during insertion / removal or even when an excessive external force is applied. It is an object of the present invention to obtain a cam-driven connector that can be mated.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a cam drive type connector in which a cam slide having a cam groove engaged with a mating connector is operated so as to slide in a housing and is fitted with the mating connector. In the cam-driven connector, a support member is provided behind the housing, the support member including a plurality of pressing portions extending to a forward-facing pocket provided in the housing, and the housing includes the pressing portion,
And a spring member disposed between the rear part of the housing and a spring member disposed between the support member so as to be freely movable.

[0007] In a cam-driven connector according to the present invention, in the cam-driven connector, the housing has an inner housing having terminals, and the cam slide is disposed outside the inner housing. ,
A first cam groove engaging with the inner housing is provided on the inner surface of the cam slide, and a second cam groove engaging with the mating connector is provided on the outer surface.

Preferably, the spring member is disposed at a position corresponding to the pocket of the housing.

Preferably, the housing is provided with a guide round hole to guide a post provided on the mating connector.

[0010] It is preferable that the holding portion has an arm having a tip portion facing backward, and the tip portion is disposed in the pocket.

Preferably, the second cam groove has a substantially L-shape.

The support member is attached to another member;
It is desirable that the bracket be made of a metal plate.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a cam-driven connector according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a cam-driven connector (hereinafter, simply referred to as a connector) of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 to 5 show a mating connector assembly (hereinafter, simply referred to as an assembly). It is sectional drawing which shows a fitting process, and also shows the relationship between the cam follower and the cam groove of the cam slide at that time. 6A and 6B are diagrams partially showing the relationship between the pocket and the bracket, wherein FIG. 6A is a partial cross-sectional view, and FIG. 6B is a partial side view.

Referring first to FIG. 1, a connector 1 is disposed in a housing 2, a cam slide 4 slidably disposed in the housing 2, an inner housing 6 disposed in the housing 2, and a rear of the housing 2. A bracket (supporting member) 8 for holding the housing 2 with a coil spring 40. The housing 2 has a relatively elongated rectangular shape, and a rectangular through opening 10 for accommodating the inner housing 6 is formed inside the housing 2. On one side wall 12 of the housing 2, a pair of guide portions 14 having a substantially cylindrical outer shape are formed near both ends. The guide portion 14 has a round hole 18 formed in the front surface 16 of the housing 2. Further, the side wall 12 is formed with a rectangular pocket 20 which is separated from the inside of the guide portion 14 and opens forward, that is, on the fitting surface side. Similarly, pockets 20 are formed at corresponding positions on the opposite side wall 22. Each pocket 20
Is formed with two ribs 20a extending along its outer wall. The pocket 20 has a rectangular opening 20b converging inward and having a bottom.

An opening 28 into which the two cam plates 26 of the cam slide 4 are inserted is formed in the end wall 24 of the housing 2. The opening 28 has a shape substantially complementary to the cross section of the cam plate 26. The inner surfaces of the side walls 12, 22 communicate with the openings 28,
Grooves 30 for receiving the cam plates 26, 26 are formed. Outside the two cam plates 26, the front, that is, the front surface 16
An L-shaped cam groove 32 is formed to extend rearward from the rear end and further extend at a right angle, and an inclined cam groove 34 which is open to a rear end 33 is formed inside. The functions of these cam grooves 32 and 34 will be described later. The two cam plates 26 have a base 3 at one end.
6 are integrally connected. The base 36 is a flange 36a
And a central opening 36b. Opening 36
At b, a rectangular bolt holder 38 having a circular flange 38a is arranged. A bolt 42 is rotatably mounted in a through hole 38b formed in the center of the bolt holder 38. A square nut 44 that engages with the bolt 42 is disposed in the housing 2 by insert molding at a position indicated by a chain line in the figure, but is drawn out for convenience in the figure. The position of the nut 44 in the housing 2 may be a position close to the end wall 24 or a position close to the opening 10. The cam slide 4 slides in the housing 2 by the rotation of the bolt 42. In the figure, 46
Denotes a lock arm for locking the cam slide 4 to the housing 2.

The inner housing 6 has a rectangular shape sized to be arranged inside the cam slide 4, and a cylindrical cam follower 50 is projected from both side walls 48 at a position corresponding to the cam groove 34. In the inner housing 6, a plurality of terminals 54 (FIG. 2) are arranged on the convex portion 52 formed at the center, but are omitted in the drawing. The inner housing 6 moves in the opening 10 of the housing 2 in the connector insertion / removal direction by driving the cam slide 4.

The bracket (support member) 8 is stamped and formed from a single metal plate, and has an elongated opening 55 at the center and mounting holes 56 for other members at four corners. Bracket 8
The side plate 58 has a receiving plate 60 at a position corresponding to the pocket 20.
Are protruded from the outer edge of the receiving plate 60, and a U-shaped arm 62 whose rear end faces backward is integrally protruded toward the front surface 16. An annular bead 64 is formed on the receiving plate 60, and a coil spring (spring member) is formed in the bead 64.
40 are arranged. End portion 62a of U-shaped arm 62
Is arranged in the opening 20b of the pocket 20, and the coil spring 40 is arranged to press the rear part of the pocket 20, so that the housing 2 is held movably by the bracket 8. The details will be described below.

Referring to FIG. 2, a state before connector 1 and mating assembly 100 are fitted to each other is shown. At the same time, the relationship between the cam slide 4 and the cam follower is also shown. The bracket 8 is fixed to another member 68 by a bolt (not shown). Pocket 2 of housing 2
0, an annular groove 70 is formed in a lower portion in the figure, and a coil spring 40 is disposed in the annular groove 70. From the figure, it can be clearly understood that the housing 2 of the connector 1 is held between the distal end portion 62a of the U-shaped arm 62 of the bracket 8 and the coil spring 40. Inner housing 6
At this time, since the cam follower 50 is located in the horizontal portion 34a of the cam groove 34 inside the cam plate 26 of the cam slide 4 shown separately below in the figure, it does not drop downward. 2
Each of the cam plates 26, 26 shows a view from the same direction. For example, only one terminal 54 is disposed in the inner housing 6 so as to face the fitting surface 52a so as to be connected to the terminal 104 on the other side.

The cam follower 106 of the assembly 100 has not yet entered the cam groove 32 outside the cam plate 26, and is located near the entrance. The distal end 62a of the arm 62 is located substantially at the center of the opening 20b of the pocket 20 at the reference position shown in the drawing, and is in contact with the bottom 20c of the opening 20b. At this time, the post 105 having a conical tip provided on the front surface 114 of the assembly is located in the round hole 18 of the guide portion 14 and the connectors are aligned.

The connector 110 having the terminal 104 of the mating assembly 100 has a concave portion 108 for receiving the convex portion 52 of the inner housing 6. The assembly 100 has a frame or a rib 112 outside the cam plate 26, and the cam follower 106 is integrally provided on the inner surface at the lower end of the rib 112 at a symmetric position. A rib 11 is provided inside the housing 2.
2 is formed. Assembly 10
When the connector 0 is fitted to the connector 1, the connector 1 is in an environment in which the connector 1 cannot be seen due to an obstacle or the like not shown in this embodiment.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, an initial state of fitting when the assembly 100 starts to be pressed by the connector 1 will be described. When the rib 112 enters the receiving groove 72, the cam follower 1
06 reaches the lower end of the vertical portion 32a of the cam groove 32.
At this time, the front surface 114 of the assembly 100
Is pressed downward, the coil spring 40 is compressed,
The front end (holding portion) 62 a of the arm 62 is separated from the pocket 20. At the time of this fitting, the assembly 100 and the connector 1
Is displaced, the connector 1 is connected to the coil spring 40.
Since it is held so as to be freely movable, it can be moved in any direction in the figure to absorb the positional deviation.
The fitting surface 52a of the inner housing 6 slightly enters the concave portion 108 of the assembly 100, but the terminals are not yet connected. Since the cam slide 4 is not driven, the cam follower 50 of the inner housing 6 is maintained in the initial state, that is, the state shown in FIG.

Next, the relationship between the assembly 100 and the connector 1 when the cam slide 4 is operated will be described with reference to FIG. When the cam slide 4 is actuated to move inward of the housing 2, the cam follower 106 of the assembly 100 moves leftward within the horizontal portion 32b of the cam groove 32 as indicated by the arrow. As a result, the assembly 100 is prevented from dropping upward, and is held in a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the housing 2. Further, the cam follower 50 of the inner housing 6 is simultaneously moved upward along the inclined portion 34b of the cam groove 34 as shown by the arrow by the driving of the cam slide 4, so that the inner housing 6 is moved forward from the front surface 16 of the housing 2. That is, it moves upward and enters the recess 108. Assembly 10
A zero tab or a pin-shaped terminal 104 is also inserted into the terminal 54.

The final stage of fitting will be described with reference to FIG. When the cam slide 4 is continuously operated, the cam follower 106 of the assembly 100 moves the horizontal portion 3 of the cam groove 32.
2b is moved to the innermost part. At the same time, the cam follower 50 of the connector 1 moves along the inclined portion 34b of the cam groove 34, and finally stops at the innermost horizontal portion 34c. As a result, with the assembly 100 fixed to the housing 2, only the inner housing 6 is raised to complete the mating with the mating connector 110. Assembly 100
Is held by another member (not shown).
And the assembly 100 is maintained in this state. Other members may be members that guide the assembly 100. To release the fitting of the assembly 100, the cam slide 4 may be operated in reverse.

Next, referring to FIG.
And the maximum movable amount when the position is shifted in the Y direction. (A) indicates that it is possible to move left and right by D1 in the X direction from the reference position C1. At this time, the arm 62
Is a short rib 20d outside the pocket 20.
To prevent further displacement. (B) shows the maximum displacement amount in the Y direction. Arm 62 moves from reference position C2 to D
It can be displaced left and right by two. At this time, the distal end portion 62a of the arm 62 comes into contact with the rib 20a, and further displacement is prevented.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and various modifications and changes can be made.

[0027]

According to the present invention, there is provided a cam-driven connector provided with a support member disposed behind the housing, the support member having a plurality of pressing portions extending into a frontward pocket provided in the housing. The housing can move freely in all directions along the X, Y, and Z axes to absorb the positional shift since the housing is freely movable between the rear portion of the support member and the spring member disposed between the support member and the support member. .

Further, the housing has an inner housing having terminals, the cam slide is disposed outside the inner housing, and a first cam groove engaging with the inner housing is provided on an inner surface of the cam slide, and an outer surface is provided. Is provided with a second cam groove that engages with the mating connector, so that the positional relationship between the connectors is secured after absorbing the positional deviation, and the fitting is ensured. Particularly, a multipolar connector having a large insertion / extraction force can be blindly fitted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a cam drive type connector of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state before the cam drive type connector of FIG. 1 is mated with a mating connector, and also shows a relationship between a cam groove and a cam follower at that time.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2, showing a state at the initial stage of fitting.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 during the fitting in which the cam slide is moved.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2, showing a state in which the fitting is completed.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a state of displacement of a housing, wherein FIG. 6A is a partial cross-sectional view and FIG. 6B is a partial side view.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cam drive type connector 2 Housing 4 Cam slide 6 Inner housing 8 Support member 20 Pocket 32 Second cam groove 34 First cam groove 40 Spring member 54, 104 Terminal 110 Mating connector

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A cam-driven connector in which a cam slide having a cam groove engaged with a mating connector is slid in a housing to be fitted with the mating connector. A support member disposed behind the housing, the support member having a plurality of pressing portions extending to the pocket, wherein the housing includes a pressing member, and a spring member disposed between the rear portion of the housing and the supporting member. A cam-driven connector characterized by being held movably between them. 2. The housing includes an inner housing having terminals, the cam slide being disposed outside the inner housing, and an inner surface of the cam slide engaging a first cam engaged with the inner housing. The cam-driven connector according to claim 1, wherein a groove is provided and a second cam groove is provided on an outer surface of the second cam groove so as to engage with the mating connector.