JP2003249311A - Split connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely restrain fitting of connectors when a retainer is located at a tentative lock position. <P>SOLUTION: A detection part 54 proceeds into a holder 10 following the fitting of connectors F to M while fitting to a guide part 16 of a holder 10. Since the detection part 54 interferes with a detected part 42 when the retainer 40 is positioned at the tentative lock position, the fitting of both connectors F and M is stopped. Since the detection part 54 does not interfere with the detected part 42 when the retainer 40 is positioned at a regular lock position, both connectors F and M are regularly fitted together. Since the detection part 54 is restrained from free movement or deformation by its fitting to the guide part 16 of the holder 10, the detection part 54 is separated from the detected part 42, so that the fitting of both connectors F and M is never advanced even if the fitting of both the connectors F and M is forcibly intended to be advanced with the detection part 54 interfering with the detected part 42 of the retainer 40. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a split connector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When wiring in an automobile, the terminal portions of a plurality of wire harnesses arranged along individual paths are gathered in one place, and the gathered terminal portions are connected to the terminal portions of electric wires on the power source side. A split connector is used as the means. This is a first connector that collects the terminal parts of a plurality of wire harnesses, and a second connector that is provided on the terminal part on the power supply side.
It consists of a connector. The first connector is configured by inserting a sub-connector of a terminal of each wire harness into a frame-shaped holder that is open on both front and rear surfaces. On the other hand, the second connector has a hood portion that houses the first connector.

In this type of split connector, a means having both the function of retaining the sub-connector attached to the holder in the first connector and the function of detecting whether or not each sub-connector is properly attached to the holder is provided. As a holder, a retainer is provided. Assembling the sub-connector to the holder is performed with the retainer in the temporary locking position, and then when the retainer is moved to the main locking position, the retainer locks with the sub-connector and the sub-connector is removed. Stop. At this time, if the sub-connector is not assembled properly, the retainer cannot hit the sub-connector and be pushed into the main locking position.
When the retainer is in the temporary locking position, a part of the retainer projects from the outer surface of the holder, so that the protruding portion of the retainer interferes with the opening edge of the hood when the retainer is fitted into the second connector.

With this structure, when the sub-connector is improperly assembled and the retainer is in the temporary locking position, when the first connector is fitted into the second connector, the retainer and the hood portion interfere with each other. The defect is detected. Incidentally, as a split connector, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-241
No. 801 is disclosed.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above-mentioned conventional assembly failure detection means is to sneak along the inner surface of the hood when the retainer is in the main locking position, and when the retainer is in the temporary locking position. The protruding portion of the retainer abuts the front end surface of the opening edge that is continuous with the inner surface of the portion. Therefore, if the retainer is forcibly pushed into the hood with the provisionally locked position, the protruding portion of the retainer may slip inside the hood while deforming the hood outward.

The present invention was devised in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to reliably regulate the fitting of both connectors when the retainer is in the temporary locking position.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a holder having a plurality of sub-connectors assembled therein, a second connector having a hood portion into which the first connector is fitted, and the holder. And a retainer that is movable between a temporary locking position that allows the sub connector to be mounted to the holder and a main locking position that holds the sub connector assembled to the holder. In the above configuration, the holder is provided with a guide portion that communicates from a front end surface of the holder into a retainer moving space in the holder, and the second connector is attached to the holder as the holder is fitted into the hood portion. A detection unit is provided that fits into the guide unit and enters the retainer movement space in the holder, and the retainer interferes with the detection unit when in the temporary locking position. When the stop position has a structure in which the detected portion is provided with a non-interfering with the detection unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the detecting portion is configured to project from the inner peripheral surface of the hood portion. In the invention of claim 3, in the invention of claim 2, the moving direction between the temporary locking position and the main locking position of the retainer is such that the detection part is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the hood part. The area is parallel to the existing area. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects of the invention, the outer surface of the retainer has an outer surface of the holder regardless of whether the retainer is at a temporary locking position or a final locking position. It is configured to be flush with the outer surface or inside the outer surface of the holder.

[0009]

[Advantageous Effects of the Invention] [Invention of Claim 1] With the fitting of both connectors, the detecting portion of the second connector is inserted into the holder while being fitted into the guide portion. When the retainer is in the temporary locking position, the detecting portion interferes with the detected portion, so that the fitting of both connectors is prevented. When the retainer is in the main locking position, the detecting portion does not interfere with the detected portion, so both connectors are properly fitted. The detector is prevented from moving or deforming by fitting with the guide part of the holder.Therefore, even if you try to force the mating of both connectors with the detector interfering with the detected part of the retainer, There is no fear that the connector will disengage from the detected part and the fitting of both connectors will proceed.

[Invention of Claim 2] Since the detecting portion is formed so as to project from the inner peripheral surface of the hood portion, as compared with the case where the detecting portion is independently projected from the rear end surface of the hood portion. The flexural rigidity of the detection unit of the present invention is high. [Invention of Claim 3] The moving direction of the retainer is parallel to the region of the inner peripheral surface of the hood in which the detection portion is formed. Therefore, when the detection portion and the detection portion interfere with each other, the detection portion The pressing force from the side toward the outer surface side does not act on the hood portion. Therefore, it is reliably prevented that both connectors are forcibly fitted while the hood portion is deformed to the outer surface side.

[Invention of Claim 4] Since the retainer does not project from the outer surface of the holder at either the temporary locking position or the main locking position, the retainer assembled at the temporary locking position is Before assembling the sub-connector, there is no risk that it will be pushed into the main locking position due to interference with other members or the like.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION [First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The split connector of the present embodiment includes a first connector F and a second connector M that can be fitted to each other. still,
In the following description, with respect to the first connector F, the lower side in FIGS. 3 to 6 and 8 to 10 and the left side in FIG. Therefore, the left-right direction is opposite to the left-right direction in FIGS. 3 to 6 and 8 to 14.

First, the second connector M will be described.
The second connector M is made of synthetic resin, and has a hood portion 51 that opens in the shape of a horizontal rectangle in the front, and the first connector F is fitted into the hood portion 51.
Further, a plurality of male terminal fittings 52 are projected from the rear end surface of the hood portion 51. A cam pin 53 that projects downward is formed on the inner surface (lower surface) of the upper surface wall of the hood portion 51. Similarly, on the upper wall of the hood portion 51, there is formed a detection portion 54 which projects downward from the inner surface thereof. The detection unit 54 is in the front-back direction, that is, the hood unit 51.
Has a rib shape that linearly extends in a direction parallel to the fitting direction of the first connector F with respect to the first connector F.
1 is inserted into the holder 10 of the first connector F.
The retainer 40 provided at the position has a function of detecting whether the retainer 40 is in the temporary locking position or the main locking position.

The position of the front end of the detector 54 in the front-rear direction is substantially the same as the position of the cam pin 53.
With such a position setting, the front end of the detection unit 54 is located at the front end of the first connector F before the lever 20 of the first connector F is engaged with the cam pin 53 in the process of fitting the connectors F and M.
The position where it can interfere with the retainer 40 is reached. That is, before the cam action by the retainer 40 and the cam pin 53 is exerted, the retainer 4 by the detection unit 54 is
The position of 0 is detected.

Next, the first connector F will be described.
The first connector F includes a synthetic resin holder 10, a synthetic resin lever 20, a plurality of synthetic resin sub-connectors 30, and a synthetic resin retainer 40. The holder 10 has a horizontal rectangular frame shape so as to be fitted into the hood portion 51 almost tightly. The holder 10 is formed with a plurality of rectangular cavities 11 opening at both front and rear end surfaces thereof. Has been done. Also,
In a region above the cavity 11 of the holder 10, a lever-accommodating space 1 having a horizontally elongated slit opening to the rear end face of the holder 10 (the end face opposite to the hood portion 51).
2 is formed. The lever accommodating space 12 is formed in a region extending from the substantially center of the holder 10 to the right end in the left-right direction. In the lever accommodating space 12, a plate-shaped lever 20 is supported rotatably about an axis line in the up-down direction in a state in which an operating portion 21 thereof is projected to the rear of the holder 10. An arcuate cam groove 22 is formed in the lever 20, and in the process of fitting the connectors F and M, first, the cam pin 53 that has entered the relief portion 13 engages with the cam groove 22. When the lever 20 is rotated from that state, the cam action of the cam pin 53 and the cam groove 22 draws both connectors F and M together to reach a fitted state.

Further, inside the holder 10, there is formed a retainer moving space 14 opening to the left side surface of the holder 10. The retainer moving space 14 has the same height as the lever housing space 12 and a height between the cavity 11 and the lever housing space 12 and a horizontally elongated slit-shaped upper space 14a which occupies a substantially left end side region of the holder 10. It is composed of a lower space 14b extending over the entire width of the holder 10. The upper space 14a and the lower space 14b communicate with each other, and
The lower space 14b communicates with the cavity 11. On the ceiling surface of the upper space 14a, a pair of left and right holding projections 1 for locking the retainer 40 between the temporary locking position and the main locking position.
5 is formed.

Further, the holder 10 is formed with a guide portion 16 which communicates from the upper end surface and the front end surface thereof to the upper space 14a of the retainer moving space 14. Guide part 16
Has a shape in which the upper surface wall of the holder 10 is cut out in an elongated linear shape in the front-rear direction and the front surface wall of the holder 10 is cut out. In the process of fitting the two connectors F and M, the detecting portion 54 of the second connector M is fitted into the guide portion 16 and advances into the upper space 14a of the retainer moving space 14.

The sub-connector 30 has a rectangular block shape, and is fitted into each cavity 11 from the rear without backlash. A female terminal fitting (not shown) is housed inside each sub-connector 30. Further, a pair of left and right retaining projections 31 is formed at a position on the front end side of the upper surface of the sub connector 30.
The retaining projection 31 has a rib shape extending linearly in the front-rear direction (direction parallel to the assembling direction of the sub-connector 30 with respect to the holder 10), and the holder 10 has the sub-connector 30.
In the process of assembling, the retainer protrusion 31 enters the lower space 14b of the retainer moving space 14 and the holder 1
When the sub-connector 30 is assembled to the proper position with respect to 0, the retaining projection 31 passes through the lower space 14b.

The retainer 40 is provided with a retaining portion 41 having a plate shape elongated in the left-right direction and a detected portion 42 protruding from the upper surface of the left end portion of the retaining portion 41.
It is assembled by laterally inserting it into the retainer moving space 14 from the opening of the left end face of 0. At this time, the retaining portion 41 is fitted into the lower space 14b without backlash,
The detected part 42 is fitted into the upper space 14a without backlash. An elastic locking piece 43 that is cantilevered to the right is formed on the detected portion 42, and a locking projection 44 is formed on the upper surface of the elastic locking piece 43. Also,
A stopper 45 is formed at the left end of the upper surface of the detected portion 42. The locking protrusions 44 are both holding protrusions 1 of the upper space 14a.
When the retainer 40 is locked between positions 5 and 5, the retainer 40 is held at the temporary locking position in a state where the leftward and rightward movements are restricted (see FIG. 13). In this temporary locking position, the left outer surface (left end surface) of the retainer 40 is flush with the left outer surface of the holder 10. In addition, when the retainer 40 is pushed rightward (backward of the retainer moving space 14) from this temporary locking position, the locking projection 44 locks the right holding projection 15 from the right side and the stopper of the retainer 40. Four
5 comes into contact with the opening edge of the retainer moving space 14 in the holder 10 from the left side, so that the retainer 40 is held in a state where the leftward and rightward movements are restricted at the main locking position (see FIG. 14). ). In this main locking position,
The left outer side surface of the retainer 40 is located deeper than the left outer side surface of the holder 10.

The retaining portion 41 has a relief groove 46 formed by cutting out the lower surface (a surface corresponding to the cavity 11). The escape groove 46 extends linearly in the front-rear direction and opens on both front and rear end surfaces of the retaining portion 41, and is provided corresponding to each cavity 11. The escape groove 46 is positioned so as to match the movement path of the retaining projection 31 of the sub-connector 30 when the retainer 40 is in the temporary locking position (see FIGS. 9, 11, and 13). When 40 is in the main locking position, it is retracted to a position deviated laterally (rightward) with respect to the movement path of the retaining projection 31 (see FIGS. 10, 12, and 14). Further, when the retainer 40 is in the main locking position, the region of the retaining portion 41 where the escape groove 46 is not formed is
It comes to be located on the movement path of the retaining projection 31.

The detected portion 42 is formed with a slit-shaped recess 47 which is open to the front end surface and the upper surface thereof and which is elongated in the front-rear direction. When the retainer 40 is in the main locking position, the slit-shaped recess 47 is in the guide portion 1.
6 (see FIG. 12), that is, a position where the detecting portion 54 of the second connector M is fitted without play (see FIG. 5), and when the retainer 40 is in the temporary locking position, the slit is formed. The concave portion 47 is retracted to a position deviated to the left from the guide portion 16 (movement path of the detected portion 42 in the process of fitting the connectors F and M) (see FIGS. 4 and 11). With the retainer 40 in the temporary locking position,
A portion of the detected portion 42 in which the slit-shaped recess 47 is not formed advances on the movement path of the detection portion 54.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. First
When assembling the connector F, first, the retainer 40 is assembled to the holder 10 at the temporary locking position. In this state, the escape groove 46 of the retaining portion 41 of the retainer 40 is
Are positioned so as to match the movement path of the retaining projection 31 of the sub-connector 30 (see FIGS. 8 and 11). When the sub-connector 30 is fitted into each cavity 11 in this state, the retaining projection 31 enters the lower space 14b while fitting into the escape groove 46 in the fitting process (see FIG. 9).
Then, when the sub-connector 30 is assembled in the regular assembly position, the retaining projection 31 passes through the lower space 14b and the retaining portion 41 in the same space.

When all sub-connectors 30 have been assembled, the retainer 40 at the temporary locking position is pushed toward the main locking position. At this time, if all the sub-connectors 30 are assembled to the proper assembly position, the retainer 40 can be pushed into the main locking position without any trouble (see FIG. 10). In this state, the retaining portion 41 of the retainer 40 engages with the retaining protrusion 31 from the rear side, so that the sub connector 30 is restricted from being detached from the holder 10.

Since the assembling of the first connector F is completed as described above, the first connector F is then connected to the second connector M.
It is fitted to the hood portion 51 of. In the process of fitting, before the cam pin 53 is engaged with the cam groove 22, the hood portion 51
The front end of the detection unit 54 starts to fit into the guide portion 16 of the holder 10 (see FIG. 4). At this time, retainer 40
Is in the main locking position and is the slit-shaped recess 4 of the retainer 40.
Since 7 is aligned with the guide portion 16, the detecting portion 54 starts fitting into the slit-shaped recess 47 without interfering with the detected portion 42 of the retainer 40 (see FIG. 5). After that, the lever 20 is rotated from the state where the cam pin 53 is engaged with the cam groove 22, and the fitting of both connectors F and M is advanced.
As the fitting progresses, the slit-shaped recess 4 of the detection unit 54
When the insertion into 7 also progresses and the rotation of the lever 20 is completed, both connectors F and M are also in a normal fitted state (see FIG. 6).

The above is the assembly of the holder 10 and the sub-connector 30 in the first connector F, and the retainer 4.
The case where the 0 has been normally pushed into the main locking position has been described. Next, the case where the sub-connector 30 is not completely assembled will be described. Sub connector 3
When the assembly of 0 is shallow and incomplete, the retaining projection 31 of the sub-connector 30 has the relief groove 46 of the retainer 40.
The retainer 40 cannot be pushed into the main locking position because the retainer 40 is engaged with the retainer 40. When the first connector F is attempted to be fitted into the hood portion 51 with the retainer 40 remaining in the temporary locking position in this manner, the cam pin 53 causes the cam groove 53 to move.
Before engaging with the retainer 4, the front end of the detecting portion 54 of the hood portion 51 is located in the retainer moving space 14.
Since it abuts against the front surface of the detected part 42 of 0, the fitting of both connectors F and M cannot proceed any further (see FIG. 4).

At this time, since the detecting portion 54 is fitted to the guide portion 16, it is allowed to move in the left-right direction (that is, the direction in which the retainer 40 moves between the temporary locking position and the main locking position). Therefore, the detecting portion 54 forcibly moves the retainer 40 to the main locking position while the slit-shaped recess 47 is formed.
There is no such thing as forcing them to fit. Further, when the detecting portion 54 interferes with the detected portion 42, the cam pin 53 and the cam groove 22 are not engaged with each other. Therefore, even if the lever 20 is rotated, the fitting of both connectors F and M proceeds. There is no such thing.

Further, even if all the sub-connectors 30 are properly assembled, the retainer 40 is not pushed into the main locking position, as in the above case, the connectors F and M are fitted together. Since the detection part 54 interferes with the detected part 42 on the way, the fitting of both connectors F and M is prevented on the way. Further, in a state where the detecting portion 54 interferes with the detected portion 42 and is in the middle of fitting, part of the outer surface of the retainer 40 is exposed to the outside of the hood portion 51.

As described above, it is understood that the retainer 40 remains in the temporary locking position by restricting the further fitting operation of the connectors F and M in the half-fitted state. In this case, it is sufficient to press the outer surface of the retainer 40 exposed to the outside of the hood portion 51 while the connectors F and M are in the half-fitted state. At this time, if the retainer 40 is pushed to the final locking position, it means that all the sub-connectors 30 are properly assembled. After that, normal fitting work may be performed.

On the other hand, when the retainer 40 cannot be pushed into the main locking position, it means that there is a sub connector 30 that is not properly assembled, so that both connectors F and M are In the half mated state,
It suffices to perform a work of pushing the sub-connector 30 which seems to be improperly assembled to the holder 10 from the rear side. When all the sub-connectors 30 have been properly assembled by this work, the retainer 40 is pushed into the main locking position, and then the normal fitting work may be performed.

As described above, in this embodiment, the detector 54 as a means for detecting whether the retainer 40 is in the main locking position or the temporary locking position is the holder 10.
Since the loosening and the deformation are restricted by the fitting with the guide portion 16 of the retainer 40, the detecting portion 54 is the detected portion 42 of the retainer 40.
Even if an attempt is made to force the mating of both connectors F and M in a state where they interfere with each other (that is, the retainer 40 is in the temporary locking position), the detection unit 54 dissociates from the detection target unit 42 and both connectors F, M. There is no fear that M will be fitted.

Further, since the detecting portion 54 is formed so as to project from the inner peripheral surface of the hood portion 51, this embodiment is different from the case where the detecting portion is independently projected from the rear end surface of the hood portion. The flexural rigidity of the shape detection unit 54 is high, and the reliability of the detection function is high. Further, since the moving direction (left-right direction) of the retainer 40 is parallel to the area of the inner peripheral surface of the upper wall of the hood portion 51 where the detection portion 54 is formed, the detection portion 54 and the detected portion 42 interfere with each other. In this state, even if a pressing force parallel to the moving direction of the retainer 40 is applied to the detecting unit 54 from the detected unit 42 side, the moving direction of the detecting unit 54 at that time is the same as the upper wall of the hood 51. The directions are parallel. Therefore, the hood portion 51 from the detected portion 42 side.
On the other hand, the pressing force directed to the outer surface side (upward) does not act, and it is reliably prevented that the connectors F and M are forcibly fitted while the hood portion 51 is deformed to the outer surface side.

Further, since the retainer 40 does not project from the outer side surface of the holder 10 at any of the temporary locking position and the main locking position, the retainer 40 assembled at the temporary locking position is Before the connector 30 is assembled, there is no risk of being pushed into the main locking position due to interference with other members or the like. [Other Embodiments] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

(1) In the above-mentioned embodiment, the detection portion is formed to project from the inner peripheral surface of the hood portion. However, according to the present invention,
The detection unit may be configured so as to independently project from the rear end surface of the hood unit. In this case, the guide portion of the holder may have a hole shape that does not open on the outer peripheral surface of the holder but opens only on the front end surface of the holder. (2) In the above embodiment, the moving direction of the retainer is parallel to the region of the inner peripheral surface of the hood portion where the detection portion is formed. However, according to the present invention, the moving direction of the retainer is the hood portion. The direction may be orthogonal to the region in which the detection portion is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the. In this case, the guide part has a hole shape that does not open on the outer peripheral surface of the holder but opens only on the front end surface, and the detection part is in a direction orthogonal to the inner peripheral surface of the hood part (parallel to the moving direction of the retainer). It is only necessary to regulate the free movement in the direction).

(3) In the above embodiment, the case where both connectors are fitted using a lever has been described, but the present invention can also be applied to a split connector that does not use a lever. (4) In the above embodiment, the retainer is installed in the direction parallel to the width direction (longitudinal direction) of the holder. However, according to the present invention, the retainer is installed in the holder height direction. It may be oriented. (5) In the above embodiment, the outer surface of the retainer is flush with the outer surface of the holder when the retainer is in the temporary locking position. However, according to the present invention, when the retainer is in the temporary locking position. Alternatively, a part of the retainer may protrude from the outer surface of the holder.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a second connector according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the first connector.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the first connector.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 1 showing a state where the retainer is in the temporary locking position and the mating of both connectors has started.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the retainer is in the final locking position and the mating of both connectors is proceeding along the line AA in FIG. 1.

6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1 showing a state where the retainer is in the final locking position and the mating of both connectors is completed.

FIG. 7 is a left side view of the first connector.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state before the holder is assembled to the sub connector, taken along line BB in FIG.

9 is a cross-sectional view showing a process of assembling the holder to the sub connector, taken along line BB in FIG.

10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the holder is assembled to the sub-connector and the retainer is pushed into the main locking city along the line BB in FIG.

11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the retainer is in the temporary locking position along the line CC in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the retainer is in the main locking position along the line CC in FIG. 7.

13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the retainer is at the temporary locking position along the line D-D in FIG. 7.

14 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the retainer is in the main locking position along the line D-D in FIG. 7.

[Explanation of symbols]

F ... First connector M ... Second connector 10 ... Holder 14 ... Retainer movement space 16 ... Guide section 30 ... Sub connector 40 ... Retainer 42 ... Detected part 51 ... Hood section 54 ... Detector

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A first connector formed by assembling a plurality of sub-connectors to a holder, a second connector having a hood portion into which the first connector is fitted, and a sub-connector provided on the holder for the sub-connector with respect to the holder. A retainer that is movable between a temporary locking position that allows assembly and a main locking position that prevents the sub-connector assembled to the holder from coming off, wherein the holder has a A guide portion is provided that communicates with the retainer moving space in the holder from the front end face, and the second connector is fitted in the guide portion as the holder is fitted in the hood portion, Is provided with a detector that enters the retainer moving space, and the retainer interferes with the detector when in the temporary locking position and with the detector when in the final locking position. Division connector, wherein a detected portion to be interference is provided. 2. The split connector according to claim 1, wherein the detection portion is configured to project from an inner peripheral surface of the hood portion. 3. The moving direction between the temporary locking position and the main locking position of the retainer is parallel to the area of the inner peripheral surface of the hood part where the detection part is formed. The split connector according to claim 2, wherein 4. The outer surface of the retainer is flush with the outer surface of the holder or inside the outer surface of the holder regardless of whether the retainer is in the temporary locking position or the final locking position. The split connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the split connector has the following configuration.