JP2016015220A - Electrical connection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrical connection device capable of reducing a risk that a voltage is erroneously applied to a device as a voltage application target in an assembling process or the like.SOLUTION: In an electrical connection device 10, a hook element body 41 is hooked to a second connector 20, and displaceable between a first position and a second position relatively to the second connector 20. A short-circuit terminal 50 is provided to the hook element body 41, and brought into contact with plural second contacts provided to the second connector 20 to short-circuit the plural second contacts under the state that the hook element body 41 is located at the first position. On the other hand, under the state that the first connector 11 and the second connector 20 are fitted to each other and the hook element body 41 is located at the second position, the contact of the short-circuit terminal 50 and the plural second contacts is released by a short-circuit releasing unit provided to a first housing of the first connector 11.

Description

  According to the present invention, a first connector having a plurality of first contacts and a second connector having a plurality of second contacts are fitted to each other so that the corresponding first contacts and second contacts come into contact with each other. The present invention relates to an electrical connection device that is connected electrically. In particular, the present invention relates to an electrical connection device in which a short operation of a plurality of second contacts is released by performing a predetermined operation in a state where a first connector and a second connector are fitted.

  Conventionally, a first connector having a plurality of first contacts and a second connector having a plurality of second contacts are fitted to each other, and the corresponding first contact and second contact are electrically connected. The electrical connection device is known in which the short circuit between the plurality of second contacts is released by performing a predetermined operation. For example, in the plug connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the guarantee member is pushed into the housing, the pressing portion of the guarantee member presses the short-circuit member short-circuiting the pair of electrical terminals. As a result, the short circuit between the pair of electrical terminals is released. The connector having such a configuration can be used as a squib connector for preventing the airbag from malfunctioning due to, for example, electric charge leaking during manufacturing and erroneous connection.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a connector having a first connector provided with a first housing provided with a first contact and a second connector provided with a second housing provided with a second contact. ing. In this connector, after the first contact and the second contact are connected, the pair of fitting detection detectors are short-circuited by the short terminals, thereby detecting that the connector is completely fitted.

JP 2014-056718 A International Publication No. 2011/161756

  By the way, in the plug connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, the short circuit between the pair of electrical terminals is released when the guarantee member is pushed into the housing. That is, in this plug connector, the short circuit between the pair of electrical terminals can be released regardless of whether the plug connector is fitted to the mating connector. In this case, for example, when the connector is used as the squib connector described above, the airbag may malfunction.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connection device that reduces the risk that a voltage is accidentally applied to a device to which a voltage is applied during assembly. Is to provide.

  (1) In order to solve the above problem, an electrical connection device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a first connector having a plurality of first contacts and a first housing in which the plurality of first contacts are held. A second connector having a plurality of second contacts and a second housing in which the plurality of second contacts are held, and a first position with respect to the second connector, A latching element body displaceable between the second position and the latching element body provided in the latching element body, wherein the latching element body is in contact with the plurality of second contacts when the latching element body is in the first position. In a state where the plurality of second contacts are short-circuited, while the latching element body is in the second position with respect to the second connector fitted to the first connector, And a shorting terminal for contact between the plurality of second contacts are released by a short releasing portion provided on the first housing.

  In this configuration, when the latching element is moved from the first position to the second position in a state where the first connector and the second connector are fitted, the electrical connection between the plurality of second contacts and the short-circuit terminals is performed by the short-circuit release unit. Continuity is released. Thereby, since the short circuit of a some 2nd contact is cancelled | released, it becomes possible to apply the voltage from the one connector side to the apparatus of the other connector side.

  On the other hand, when the first connector and the second connector are fitted and the latching element is in the first position, the plurality of second contacts are short-circuited. Thereby, the voltage from one connector side can be prevented from being improperly applied to the device on the other connector side. Therefore, for example, when it is desired to fit the first connector and the second connector while avoiding voltage application to the device, the voltage is accidentally applied to the device by setting the position of the latching element to the first position. The situation where it is applied can be avoided.

  Further, in this configuration, even when the latching element is moved to the second position in a state where the second connector is not fitted to the first connector, the short-circuit state of the plurality of second contacts is maintained. Thereby, for example, when the power supply circuit is connected to the second connector side, or when the device to which the voltage is applied is connected to the second connector side, the power supply voltage is incorrect. The situation where it is applied to the apparatus can be avoided.

  Therefore, according to this configuration, it is possible to provide an electrical connection device that reduces a risk that a voltage is erroneously applied to a device to which a voltage is applied during assembly.

  (2) Preferably, the second connector is formed in a portion of the second housing on the extension direction side of the cable connected to the second contact, and protrudes to the extension direction side. The mating portion and the first engaged portion formed in the first housing are engaged with each other by being engaged with each other.

  In this configuration, when the second connector is about to be removed from the first connector using the portion of the second housing on the cable extension direction side as a force point, the first engagement portion has a portion with respect to the direction in which the second connector is removed. A force in a direction inclined toward the cable extension direction acts. At this time, since the first engaging portion and the first engaged portion are in contact with each other over a relatively wide range, it is difficult for the first engaging portion to be detached from the first engaged portion. That is, according to this structure, the fitting force of the 2nd connector with respect to a 1st connector can be strengthened.

  Furthermore, according to this configuration, it is possible to omit the formation of the engaging portion in the portion of the second housing on the side (the width direction of the second housing) that is orthogonal to the cable extending direction. Thereby, since the width | variety of a 2nd housing can be made thin, it becomes possible to make the width | variety of the whole electrical connection apparatus thin.

  (3) More preferably, in the second connector, the first engaging portion and the first engaged portion are engaged with each other, and the second housing has a portion opposite to the extending direction. The formed second engaging portion and the second engaged portion formed on the first housing are engaged with each other by being engaged with each other.

  In this configuration, the second connector is the first by both the first engagement portion provided on the cable extension direction side and the second engagement portion provided on the opposite side of the cable extension direction. Since it engages with the connector, the fitting force between the first connector and the second connector can be further increased.

  (4) Preferably, the latching element main body has an opening that covers the short-circuit terminal from the outside and exposes a portion of the short-circuit terminal that is in contact with the short-circuit release portion to the short-circuit release portion. A formed short-circuit terminal cover is provided.

  In this configuration, when the second connector is fitted to the first connector, the short-circuit terminal cover prevents the short-circuit terminal attached to the latching element body from coming into contact with a portion other than the short-circuit release portion. Can do. Thereby, it can prevent that a short circuit terminal contacts and deform | transforms parts other than a short circuit cancellation | release part.

  (5) Preferably, the latching element main body has a latching portion for latching the latching element main body on the second housing, on the extending direction side of the cable connected to the second contact, And at least one of the side opposite to the extending direction.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to omit the formation of the locking portion in the portion of the latching element main body on the side perpendicular to the cable extending direction (width direction of the latching element main body). Thereby, since the width | variety of a latching element main body can be made thin, it becomes possible to make the width | variety of the whole electrical connection apparatus thin.

  (6) Preferably, in the second housing, both ends of the end of the cable connected to the second contact on the extending direction side and the end on the opposite side to the extending direction are provided with the first A grip portion is provided for pressing the two connectors toward the first connector.

  According to this configuration, since the second connector can be pressed and fitted to the first connector side in a state where the pair of grip portions provided in the second housing is gripped, assembly workability can be improved. . Further, according to this configuration, it is possible to omit forming the grip portion in a portion of the second housing on the side (in the width direction of the second housing) that is orthogonal to the cable extending direction. Thereby, since the width | variety of a 2nd housing can be made thin, it becomes possible to make the width | variety of the whole electrical connection apparatus thin.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the electrical connection apparatus which reduces the risk that a voltage will be applied accidentally at the time of an assembly etc. with respect to the apparatus used as the application object of a voltage can be provided.

It is a figure showing the schematic structure of the airbag system provided with the squib connector concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a section perspective view showing the shape of the 1st connector. It is a figure which shows the 2nd connector and latching element of the state which mutually engaged, Comprising: (A) is a perspective view, (B) is a side view. It is a figure which shows the 2nd connector and latching element of the state which mutually engaged, Comprising: (A) is a cross-sectional perspective view, (B) is sectional drawing. It is a figure which shows the shape of a female housing, Comprising: (A) is a perspective view, (B) is a side view. It is a figure which shows the shape of a cover housing, Comprising: (A) is a perspective view, (B) is a top view. It is a figure which shows the shape of a latching element, Comprising: (A) is a perspective view, (B) is sectional drawing, (C) is the figure seen from back. It is a perspective view which shows the shape of a short circuit terminal. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation | movement at the time of a 2nd connector fitting with respect to a 1st connector, (A) is a state before a 2nd connector fits to a 1st connector, (B) is a 1st. 2 is a state after the connector is fitted to the first connector and the latching element is in the first position, and (C) is a state after the second connector is fitted to the first connector and latched. It is a figure which shows the state which has an element in a 2nd position. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the airbag system provided with the squib connector which concerns on a modification.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention can be widely applied as an electrical connection device, particularly as a squib connector.

[Schematic configuration of air bag system]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a schematic configuration of an airbag system 1 including a squib connector 10 as an electrical connection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. An airbag system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a power circuit 2, a squib 3, and a relay cable 4 provided with two squib connectors 5 and 10 at both ends, and is mounted on, for example, an automobile. In the airbag system 1, when an impact of a certain level or more is applied to the automobile in a state where the two squib connectors 5 and 10 are fitted and the power circuit 2 and the squib 3 are electrically connected, a control system (illustrated) When the predetermined voltage is applied from the power supply circuit 2 and the squib 3 is activated, the airbag (not shown) is developed.

  The squib connector 5 includes a first connector 6 formed integrally with the squib 3 and a second connector 7 provided on one end side of the relay cable 4. The first connector 6 has two first contacts (not shown), and the second connector 7 has two second contacts (not shown). Further, the first connector 6 is provided with a short-circuit clip 6a for short-circuiting the two first contacts, and in a stage before the first connector 6 and the second connector 7 are completely fitted, the short-circuit clip 6a is provided. By contacting both of the two first contacts, the two first contacts are short-circuited. As a result, application of the power supply voltage to the squib 3 is prevented, so that a situation where the power supply voltage is accidentally applied to the squib 3 and the airbag is unfolded, for example, during assembly of the airbag system 1 is avoided. Can do.

  In the squib connector 5, the latching element 8 provided on the second connector 7 is pushed into the second connector 7 side in a state where the second connector 7 is fitted into the first connector 6. At this time, a rib-like short-circuit releasing portion (not shown) provided in the latching element 8 enters between the first contact and the short-circuit clip 6a to release the contact between them. Thereby, the short circuit of the two first contacts is released, and the first connector 6 and the second connector 7 are completely fitted. The squib connector 5 is different in configuration from the squib connector 10 as an electrical connection device according to the embodiment of the present invention, but the squib connector 5 is a squib connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention described below. It may be configured.

[Schematic structure and operation of squib connector 10]
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the shape of the first connector 11 of the squib connector 10. FIGS. 3A and 3B are views showing the second connector 20 and the latching element 40 engaged with each other, in which FIG. 3A is a perspective view and FIG. 3B is a side view. 4A and 4B are views showing the second connector 20 and the latching element 40 engaged with each other, in which FIG. 4A is a sectional perspective view and FIG. 4B is a sectional view. In FIG. 4A, cross-sectional hatching is omitted.

  2 and the subsequent drawings, for convenience of explanation, the direction indicated by the arrow described as “front” is referred to as the front side or the front, the direction indicated by the arrow indicated as “back” is referred to as the rear side or the rear, The direction indicated by the indicated arrow is referred to as the right side, the direction indicated by the arrow indicated as left is referred to as the left side, the direction indicated by the arrow indicated as the back is referred to as the back side, and the arrow indicated as front The direction indicated by is referred to as the front side.

  The squib connector 10 includes a first connector 11 on the power supply circuit 2 side, a second connector 20 on the squib 3 side, and a latching element 40 with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. The first connector 11 has two first contacts 19, 19, and the second connector 20 has two second contacts 35, 35 (only one is shown in FIG. 4).

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the latching element 40 is latched to the second connector 20 while being latched to the second connector 20. The latching element 40 has a short-circuit terminal 50 as shown in FIG. In the short-circuit terminal 50, before the first connector 11 and the second connector 20 are completely fitted, the short-circuit terminal 50 comes into contact with both the two second contacts 35, 35, whereby two second Contacts 35 are short-circuited (see FIG. 4). As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the airbag is unintentionally deployed when the airbag system 1 is assembled.

  In the squib connector 10, as will be described in detail later, when the latching element 40 provided in the second connector 20 is pushed into the second connector 20 in a state where the second connector 20 is fitted into the first connector 11, A short-circuit releasing rib 15 (short-circuit releasing portion) provided in the first connector 11 enters between the second contacts 35 and 35 and the short-circuit terminal 50 to separate them. Thereby, the short circuit of the two second contacts 35 and 35 is released, and the first connector 11 and the second connector 20 are completely fitted.

[Configuration of squib connector 10]
As described above, the squib connector 10 includes the first connector 11, the second connector 20, and the latching element 40.

[Configuration of the first connector]
As shown in FIG. 2, the first connector 11 includes a housing 12 and two first contacts 19 and 19. The housing 12 is formed in a box shape having an opening 13 that opens toward the front side. In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, in the near side of the housing 12, the some opening part 13 is arranged along the left-right direction.

  On the bottom 14 of the housing 12, a short-circuit releasing rib 15 formed in a rib shape extending from the bottom 14 toward the front side is formed integrally with the bottom 14. The short-circuit release rib 15 includes a release main body portion 15a that is a plate-like portion having a thickness in the front-rear direction, and a reinforcing portion 15b provided at a central portion in the left-right direction of the release main body portion 15a. Has been. The strength of the short-circuit releasing rib 15 is ensured by the reinforcing portion 15b.

  A slit portion 16 a is formed in the front side wall portion 16 of the housing 12. The slit portion 16a is formed by a through hole that is formed on the front side of the front side wall portion 16 and is elongated in the left-right direction. In addition, a portion of the front side wall portion 16 on the nearer side than the slit portion 16a is provided as a straight portion 16b extending in the left-right direction. A stepped portion 16c and an inclined portion 16d are formed in a portion on the opening 13 side in the linear portion 16b. The step portion 16c is formed in the front side portion of the straight portion 16b, and the inclined portion 16d is formed in the back portion of the straight portion 16b.

  In the rear side wall portion 17 of the housing 12, a groove portion 17 a is formed that extends the inner wall of the rear side wall portion 17 from the near side to the far side. And the protrusion part 17b (1st to-be-engaged part) which protrudes from this bottom part to the front side is formed in the bottom part of this groove part 17a.

  On the inner wall surface of the left side wall portion 18 of the housing 12, a ridge portion 18a extending from the near side to the far side is formed. On the other hand, although not shown in the drawings, a ridge extending from the near side to the far side is also formed on the right side wall of the housing 12.

  Each first contact 19 is formed in a pin shape from a highly conductive metal material or the like. The first contact 19 penetrates the bottom portion 14 of the housing 12 from the back side to the near side, and the tip end portion is exposed to the near side at the opening 13. The first contacts 19 are arranged along the left-right direction on the slightly rear side of the short-circuit releasing rib 15. Each first contact 19 is electrically connected to the power supply circuit 2 via a cable or the like.

[Configuration of second connector]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second connector 20 has two housings (female housing 21 and cover housing 30) and two second contacts 35 and 35. These two housings 21 and 30 are provided as a second housing.

  5A and 5B are views showing the shape of the female housing 21, wherein FIG. 5A is a perspective view and FIG. 5B is a side view. The female housing 21 has a base portion 22 and an extending portion 23 extending from the front portion of the base portion 22 to the back side, and these are integrally formed. Two grooves (not shown) extending in the front-rear direction are formed in the rear portion of the front side of the base portion 22. A caulking portion 35a of a second contact 35 described later is fitted into the groove portion.

  The front portion of the extending portion 23 is provided as a cantilever-shaped front claw portion 24 that is provided integrally with the base portion 22 and extends from the base portion 22 to the back side. A protrusion 24 a (second engagement portion) that protrudes forward from the tip is formed at the tip of the front claw 24 (the back side portion of the front claw 24). That is, the protruding portion 24a protrudes on the opposite side (front side) to the extending direction of the cable 37 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) in the front claw portion 24 on the opposite side to the extending direction. The protruding portion 24a engages with a slit portion 16a (second engaged portion) formed in the housing 12 of the first connector 11 in a state where the first connector 11 and the second connector 20 are fitted. Further, the front claw portion 24 is formed with a long hole portion 24b penetrating the front claw portion 24 in the front-rear direction. The long hole portion 24b is formed in a long hole shape extending from the near side to the deep side in the central portion of the front claw portion 24 in the left-right direction.

  On the other hand, the rear portion of the extending portion 23 is provided as a cantilever-like rear claw portion 25 that is provided integrally with the base portion 22 and extends from the base portion 22 to the back side. A protruding portion 25a (first engaging portion) that protrudes rearward from the distal end portion is formed at the distal end portion of the rear claw portion 25 (the back side portion of the rear claw portion 25). That is, the protruding portion 25 a protrudes in the extending direction side at the portion of the rear claw portion 25 on the extending direction side (rear side) of the cable 37. The protrusion 25 a engages with a protrusion 17 b (first engaged portion) formed on the housing 12 of the first connector 11 in a state where the first connector 11 and the second connector 20 are fitted.

  Moreover, the right side part and the left side part in the extension part 23 are provided as the right side wall part 26 and the left side wall part 27 formed in a wall shape, respectively. In the extending part 23, an opening 23a formed by the front claw part 24, the rear claw part 25, the right side wall part 26, and the left side wall part 27 opens toward the front side.

  The right wall portion 26 is formed with a slit portion 26a formed in a slit shape extending from the back side toward the near side. Similarly, the left wall portion 27 is also formed with a slit portion 27a formed in a slit shape extending from the back side toward the near side. The slit portion 26 a corresponds to the ridge portion formed on the right side wall portion of the first connector 11, and the slit portion 27 a corresponds to the ridge portion 18 a formed on the left side wall portion 18 of the first connector 11. Yes.

  6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating the shape of the cover housing 30, where FIG. 6A is a perspective view and FIG. 6B is a plan view. The cover housing 30 is configured to be engageable with a front portion of the female housing 21. The cover housing 30 includes a cover portion 31 that extends in the front-rear direction and has a predetermined width in the left-right direction. The front portion of the cover portion 31 is provided with a through-hole portion 32 in which a through-hole that penetrates the cover portion 31 from the near side to the far side is formed.

  The cover housing 30 has two gripping portions (a front gripping portion 33 and a rear gripping portion 34). The front gripping portion 33 is provided in the front portion of the cover portion 31, and the rear gripping portion 34 is provided in the rear portion of the cover portion 31. The front grip 33 is formed with a recess 33a that is gently recessed backward from the front portion of the front grip 33. On the other hand, the rear gripping portion 34 is formed with a concave portion 34a that is gently recessed forward from the rear portion of the rear gripping portion 34.

  Protrusions 32 a and 32 a projecting inward are formed on the right and left portions of the inner peripheral wall of the through-hole portion 32 of the cover portion 31. The pair of protrusions 32a, 32a is for holding a pair of small protrusions 48a formed on the latching element main body 41, which will be described in detail later, from both sides.

  The second contact 35 is formed in a socket shape in which the first contact 19 is inserted and held. The second contact 35 is formed in an L shape as shown in FIG. Similarly to the first contact 19, the second contact 35 is also made of a metal material having high conductivity. A portion on the one end side (rear portion) of the second contact 35 is provided as a crimping portion 35a where the cable 37 is crimped and held. The caulking portion 35a is held in a state of being fitted into the groove portion of the female housing 21. Accordingly, the cable 37 connected to the second contact 35 is provided so as to extend toward the rear side. On the other hand, the opening 35b of the second contact 35 is opened toward the back so that the first contact 19 is inserted into the other end of the second contact 35 (the back side). In the second contact 35, when the first contact 19 is inserted, the contact portion 36a of the spring portion 36 formed in a plate spring shape and the first contact 19 come into contact with each other, whereby the first contact 19 and the second contact are contacted. 35 is electrically connected.

[Configuration of latching elements]
7A and 7B are views showing the shape of the latching element 40, where FIG. 7A is a perspective view, FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the latching element 40 includes a latching element body 41 and a short-circuit terminal 50.

  The latching element main body 41 is a member that is latched and locked with respect to the second connector 20. The latching element main body 41 includes a base portion 42 and an extending portion 43 extending from the base portion 42 to the back side, and these are integrally formed. The base 42 is provided as a plate-like portion having a predetermined thickness in the direction from the near side to the far side.

  The extending portion 43 includes a front side wall portion 44, a right side wall portion 45, and a left side wall portion 46 that extend from the front side, right side, and left side portions of the base portion 42 toward the back side. As a result, a space S surrounded by the front side wall portion 44, the right side wall portion 45, and the left side wall portion 46 is formed inside the extending portion 43. Each wall part 44,45,46 is mutually provided integrally.

  In addition, the extending portion 43 has a cantilever-like front claw portion 47 formed so as to extend from the base portion 42 to the back side at a portion slightly ahead of the front side wall portion 44. A first projecting portion 47 a and a second projecting portion 47 b projecting forward from the tip portion are formed at the tip portion of the front claw portion 47 (the back side portion of the front claw portion 47). That is, the two projecting portions 47a and 47b are located on the opposite side (front side) of the front claw portion 47 from the extending direction of the cable 37 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). It protrudes. The first projecting portion 47 a is formed at a portion slightly closer to the front side than the tip of the front claw portion 47. The second projecting portion 47 b is formed on the distal end side (back side) of the first projecting portion 47 a at the distal end portion of the front claw portion 47. As shown in FIG. 3, the first protruding portion 47 a and the second protruding portion 47 b are elongated holes formed in the front claw portion 24 of the female housing 21 in a state where the latching element 40 is engaged with the second connector 20. It is in a state of entering the portion 24b from the inside. That is, the first projecting portion 47 a and the second projecting portion 47 b are provided as locking portions for latching the latching element main body 41 to the female housing 21.

  As shown in FIG. 7C, a partition wall portion 44a is formed on the rear side surface of the front side wall portion 44. The partition wall portion 44a is formed so as to extend from the front side toward the back side in the center portion in the left-right direction on the rear side surface of the front side wall portion 44. A space S formed inside the extending portion 43 by the partition wall portion 44a is a right space Sa that is a space on the right side of the partition wall portion 44a and a space on the left side of the partition wall portion 44a. It is partitioned into a left space Sb.

  In addition, the right side wall 45 and the left side wall 46 are formed with a pair of grooves 48 that extend from the near side to the far side in the outer portions of the walls 45 and 46. A small protrusion 48 a is formed on the front side of each groove 48. The small protrusion 48 a has a smaller protrusion than the protrusion 32 a formed on the cover housing 30. In the latching element 40, when the latching element 40 is engaged with the second connector 20, the pair of small protrusions 48 a is sandwiched and held by the pair of protrusions 32 a formed on the cover housing 30. .

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the shape of the short-circuit terminal 50. The short-circuit terminal 50 is a leaf spring-like member formed of a highly conductive metal material or the like. The short-circuit terminal 50 includes a plate portion 51 that is a portion formed in a rectangular plate shape, and a pair of terminal portions 52 (a right terminal portion 52a and a left terminal portion 52b) formed in a cantilever shape, These are integrally formed. Each of the terminal portions 52a and 52b is formed so that a portion on one end side is integrated with a portion on the back side of the plate portion 51 and extends to the near side with a space from the plate portion 51.

  Each of the terminal portions 52a and 52b includes a bending portion 53, a flat portion 54, a first inclined portion 55, a second inclined portion 56, and a contact portion 57, which are integrally formed. The bending portion 53 is arranged in such a manner that one end side is provided integrally with the plate portion 51 and the other end side is separated from the plate portion 51. The flat portion 54 is provided integrally with a portion on the other end side of the bending portion 53 and extends in parallel with the plate portion 51 from the back side toward the near side. The first inclined portion 55 extends obliquely from the front end portion of the first flat portion 54 to the rear side with respect to the direction from the back side to the front side. The second inclined portion 56 extends from the distal end portion of the first inclined portion 55 to the rear side with a slight inclination to the rear side from the back side toward the front side. That is, the angle of the second inclined portion 56 with respect to the plate portion 51 is smaller than the angle of the first inclined portion 55 with respect to the plate portion 51. The contact portion 57 is a portion that is formed continuously with the distal end portion of the second inclined portion 56 and that is in contact with the second contact 35.

  The short-circuit terminal 50 having the above-described configuration is arranged so that the surface of the plate portion 51 opposite to the surface on which the terminal portion 52a is provided is in close contact with the front side wall portion 44 of the latching element body 41. It is attached to the latching element body 41. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7C, the right terminal portion 52a is accommodated in the right space Sa formed in the extension portion 43, and the left terminal portion 52b is accommodated in the left space Sb. It becomes. In this state, the right terminal portion 52a includes the front side wall portion 44, the partition wall portion 44a, and the right side terminal portion 52a except for the portion on the side in contact with the second contact 35 (the rear side portion in FIG. 8). It is covered with a right-side short-circuit terminal cover part 49a constituted by the right-side wall part 45. On the other hand, the left terminal portion 52b has a front side wall portion 44, a partition wall portion 44a, and a left side wall except for a portion (a rear side portion in FIG. 8) on the left terminal portion 52b that is in contact with the second contact 35. It is covered with a left-side short-circuit terminal cover part 49b constituted by the part 46. Openings 49c and 49d for exposing the terminal portion 52 rearward are formed on the rear side of the cover portions 49a and 49b.

[About the second connector with the latching element latched]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the latching element 40 is latched and engaged with the second connector 20 before being fitted to the first connector 11. Specifically, in the latching element 40, the front part (the part on the front claw part 47 side) of the latching element 40 corresponds to the front part (the part on the front claw part 24 side) of the second connector 20. Thus, the second connector 20 is inserted from the near side toward the far side. At this time, each protrusion 32 a formed on the cover housing 30 enters the groove 48 formed on each of the right side wall 45 and the left side wall 46 of the latching element main body 41. The latching element 40 is guided by the protrusion 32a so as to slide smoothly from the near side to the far side.

  With reference to FIGS. 3 to 7, when the latching element 40 is further inserted into the second connector 20, the second projecting portion 47 b and the first projecting portion 47 a of the latching element 40 are sequentially changed. Then, it enters the elongated hole 24b of the front claw portion 24 from the inside. Thereby, the latching element 40 is engaged with the second connector 20. At this time, the sliding movement of the latching element 40 toward the back side is restricted by the second projecting portion 47b coming into contact with the back end portion 24c of the long hole portion 24b. Further, in this state, the pair of small protrusions 48 a in the latching element 40 is sandwiched and held by the pair of protrusions 32 a in the cover housing 30. As a result, the latching element 40 is in a state where the base portion 42 slightly protrudes toward the near side with respect to the second connector 20 (the latching element 40 is in the first position with respect to the second connector 20). The connector 20 is held without rattling in the left-right direction. Even when the latching element 40 is pulled to the near side, the first projecting portion 47a abuts on the near end of the long hole portion 24b. Thereby, detachment | leave of the latching element 40 with respect to the 2nd connector 20 is prevented.

  In the state where the second connector 20 and the latching element 40 are engaged and are in the first position as described above, the short-circuit terminal 50 short-circuits the pair of second contacts 35. Specifically, the contact portion 57 of the right terminal portion 52 a contacts one of the pair of second contacts 35, and the contact portion 57 of the left terminal portion 52 b contacts the other of the pair of second contacts 35. As a result, one second contact 35 is electrically connected to the other second contact 35 via the short-circuit terminal 50, so that the pair of second contacts 35 are short-circuited.

[About the fitting operation of the second connector to the first connector]
FIG. 9 is a view for explaining an operation when the second connector 20 is fitted to the first connector 11, and (A) is a diagram before the second connector 20 is fitted to the first connector 11. (B) is a state after the second connector 20 is fitted to the first connector 11 and the latching element 40 is in the first position. (C) is a state where the second connector 20 is the first connector. 11 is a diagram showing a state after being fitted to 11 and a state in which the latching element 40 is in the second position.

  In the squib connector 10, the extension 23 (see FIG. 3) of the second connector 20 in a state where the latching element 40 is engaged is inserted into the opening 13 (see FIG. 2) of the first connector 11. Specifically, referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, the second connector 20 is in a state where the slit portions 26 a and 27 a of the second connector 20 are aligned with the corresponding protrusions 18 a of the first connector 11. The 20 extending portions 23 are inserted into the opening 13 of the first connector 11 (see FIG. 9A). At this time, the protruding portion 24a of the front claw portion 24 of the second connector 20 moves to the back side along the inner wall of the front side wall portion 16 of the first connector 11, and then fits into the slit portion 16a (FIG. 9 ( B)). At the same time, the protruding portion 25a of the rear claw portion 25 of the second connector 20 moves to the back side along the groove portion 17a formed on the rear side wall portion 17 of the first connector 11, and then the groove portion 17a. It engages with the protruding portion 17b formed in (see FIG. 9B). As a result, the second connector 20 is fitted to the first connector 11.

  Further, as described above, in the middle of the insertion of the second connector 20 into the first connector 11, the first projecting portion 47a of the latching element 40 comes into contact with the stepped portion 16c of the first connector 11 (FIG. 9 ( B)). Thereby, the latching element 40 protrudes to the near side with respect to the 2nd connector 20 with which the insertion to the 1st connector 11 side is continued.

  Thus, in the state where the second connector 20 is fitted to the first connector 11, the pair of second contacts 35 are still short-circuited by the short-circuit terminals 50 as shown in FIG. 9B. The voltage from the power supply circuit 2 side cannot be applied to the squib 3 side. Further, in this state, since the base portion 42 of the latching element 40 slightly protrudes toward the near side with respect to the first connector 11 and the second connector 20, the user can short-circuit the pair of second contacts 35. It can be easily recognized visually.

  Next, when the latching element 40 in the first position is pressed toward the first connector 11, the first protrusion 47 a formed on the front claw 47 of the latching element 40 is applied to the second connector 20. It moves to the back side along the formed long hole part 24b. At this time, since the first projecting portion 47a also moves inward along the inclined portion 16d of the first connector 11, the second projecting portion 47b is the rear end portion of the front claw portion 24 of the second connector 20. The second protrusion 47b and the end 24c do not engage with each other through the inside of the 24c. Thereby, the latching element 40 moves further to the back side, and the first projecting portion 47a fits into the slit portion 16a of the first connector 11 (see FIG. 9C). Accordingly, the latching element 40 is engaged with the first connector 11 at the second position with respect to the second connector 20 in a state of being fitted to the first connector 11. That is, the first connector 11 and the second connector 20 are completely fitted.

  When the latching element 40 is pressed toward the first connector 11 as described above, the short-circuit releasing rib 15 of the first connector 11 enters between the second contact 35 and the short-circuit terminal 50, and the short-circuit terminal 50. The second inclined portion 56 is pressed toward the plate portion 51 (see FIG. 9C), and the first connector 11 and the second connector 20 are completely fitted as described above. As a result, the short circuit between the pair of second contacts 35 is released, and for the first time, a voltage can be applied from the power supply circuit 2 side to the squib 3 side.

[effect]
As described above, in the squib connector 10 according to the present embodiment, when the latching element 40 is pushed from the first position to the second position in a state where the first connector 11 and the second connector 20 are fitted, the short circuit is released. The rib 15 releases the electrical continuity between the plurality of second contacts 35, 35 and the short-circuit terminal 50. Thereby, since the short circuit of the plurality of second contacts 35 is released, the voltage from the first connector 11 side can be applied to the squib 3 on the second connector 20 side.

  On the other hand, when the first connector 11 and the second connector 20 are fitted and the latching element 40 is in the first position, the plurality of second contacts 35 and 35 are short-circuited. Thereby, it can prevent that the voltage from the 1st connector 11 side will be applied to the squib 3 by the side of the 2nd connector 20 accidentally. Therefore, for example, when it is desired to fit the first connector 11 and the second connector 20 while avoiding the application of voltage to the squib 3, the position of the latching element 40 is set to the first position. The situation where a voltage is applied to the squib 3 can be avoided.

  Further, in the squib connector 10, even when the latching element 40 is moved to the second position in a state where the second connector 20 is not fitted to the first connector 11, the plurality of second contacts 35, 35 are short-circuited. Is maintained. Thereby, when the 2nd connector 20 side is connected to the squib 3 like this embodiment, the situation where the voltage is accidentally applied to the squib 3 for some reason can be avoided.

  Therefore, according to the squib connector 10, it is possible to provide an electrical connection device that reduces the risk that a voltage is erroneously applied to the squib 3 as a device to which a voltage is applied during assembly.

  Further, in the squib connector 10, referring to FIG. 9, the second connector 20 is removed from the first connector 11 with the portion on the extending direction side of the cable 37 in the second housing (female housing 21 and cover housing 30) as a power point. In this case, a force in a direction inclined toward the extending direction of the cable 37 with respect to the direction in which the second connector 20 is removed acts on the protruding portion 25a. At this time, since the protruding portion 25a and the protruding portion 17b are in contact with each other over a relatively wide range, the protruding portion 25a is difficult to come off from the protruding portion 17b. That is, according to the squib connector 10, the fitting force of the second connector 20 with respect to the first connector 11 can be increased.

  Further, in the squib connector 10, the second connector 20 is engaged with the first connector 11 in a portion of the female housing 21 on the side perpendicular to the cable extending direction (the width direction of the female housing 21, the left-right direction). Forming the protrusion can be omitted. Thereby, since the width | variety of the female housing 21 can be made thin, it becomes possible to make the width | variety of the squib connector 10 whole thin.

  Further, in the squib connector 10, the second connector 20 is formed by both the protruding portion 25 a provided on the extending direction side of the cable 37 and the protruding portion 24 a provided on the opposite side to the extending direction of the cable 37. Since the first connector 11 is engaged, the fitting force between the first connector 11 and the second connector 20 can be further increased.

  Further, in the squib connector 10, when the second connector 20 is fitted to the first connector 11, the short-circuit terminal 50 attached to the latching element body 41 comes into contact with a portion other than the short-circuit release rib 15. This can be prevented by the short-circuit terminal cover portions 49a and 49b. Thereby, it can prevent that the short circuit terminal 50 contacts and deform | transforms parts other than the short circuit cancellation | release rib 15. FIG.

  Further, in the squib connector 10, the latching element 40 is disposed on the portion of the latching element main body 41 on the side of the direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the cable 37 (width direction of the latching element main body 41, left-right direction). It is possible to omit the formation of the protruding portion for engaging with. Thereby, since the width | variety of the latching element main body 41 can be made thin, it becomes possible to make the width | variety of the squib connector 10 whole thin.

  Further, in the squib connector 10, the second connector 20 can be pressed and fitted to the first connector 11 side in a state where the pair of grip portions 33 and 34 provided in the cover housing 30 is gripped. Can be improved. Further, according to the squib connector 10, it is possible to omit forming the grip portion in a portion on the side of the cover housing 30 that is orthogonal to the extending direction of the cable 37 (width direction of the cover housing 30, left-right direction). . Thereby, since the width | variety of the cover housing 30 can be made thin, it becomes possible to make the width | variety of the squib connector 10 whole thin.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these, A various change is possible unless it deviates from the meaning of this invention.

[Modification]
(1) FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an airbag system 1 including a squib connector 10a according to a modification. In the above-described embodiment, the airbag system 1 having the two squib connectors 5 and 10 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention includes a single squib connector 10a as shown in FIG. The present invention can also be applied to the airbag system 1a. Even in this case, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  (2) In the above embodiment, the first connector 11 is provided on the power supply circuit 2 side and the second connector 20 is provided on the squib 3 side. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the first connector 11 is connected to the squib 3. The second connector 20 may be provided on the power supply circuit 2 side.

  (3) In the above-described embodiment, the protruding portion 24a is provided on the front side of the female housing 21, but not limited to this, the squib connector may have a configuration in which the protruding portion 24a is omitted.

  (4) In the above embodiment, the first connector 11 having the two first contacts 19 and the second connector 20 having the two second contacts 35 have been described as examples. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Can also be applied to a squib connector having a first connector having three or more first contacts and a second connector having three or more second contacts.

  (5) In the above-described embodiment, the locking portions (the first protruding portion 47a and the second protruding portion 47b) for engaging the locking element 40 with the second connector 20 are provided on the front side portion of the locking element main body 41. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, the locking portion may be formed in the rear portion of the latching element main body 41, or may be formed in both the front portion and the rear portion.

  The present invention can be widely applied to an electrical connection device, and is particularly useful in a squib connector.

1,1a Airbag system 10,10a Squib connector (electrical connection device)
11 First connector 12 Housing (first housing)
15 Short-circuit release rib (short-circuit release part)
19 First contact 20 Second connector 21 Female housing (second housing)
30 Cover housing (second housing)
35 Second contact 41 Latch element body 50 Short-circuit terminal

Claims (6)

A first connector having a plurality of first contacts and a first housing in which the plurality of first contacts are held;
A second connector having a plurality of second contacts and a second housing in which the plurality of second contacts are held;
A latching element body latched against the second connector and displaceable between a first position and a second position relative to the second connector;
The latching element body is provided in the latching element body, and in the state where the latching element body is in the first position, the plurality of second contacts are short-circuited by coming into contact with the plurality of second contacts, while the latching element In a state where the main body is in the second position with respect to the second connector in a state of being fitted to the first connector, a short-circuit releasing portion provided in the first housing is connected to the plurality of second contacts. An electrical connection device comprising: a short-circuit terminal that is released from contact. The electrical connection device according to claim 1,
The second connector is formed in a portion of the second housing on the extending direction side of the cable connected to the second contact, and protrudes to the extending direction side. An electrical connecting device, wherein the first connector is engaged with the first connector by engaging with a first engaged portion formed in one housing. The electrical connection device according to claim 2,
In the second connector, the first engagement portion and the first engaged portion are engaged with each other, and the second engagement is formed in a portion of the second housing opposite to the extending direction. The electrical connection device is characterized in that the first connector is engaged with the second engaged portion formed on the first housing by engaging the first portion with the second engaged portion. The electrical connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The latching element main body is formed with an opening that covers the short-circuit terminal from the outside and that exposes a portion of the short-circuit terminal that contacts the short-circuit release portion to the short-circuit release portion. An electrical connection device characterized in that a portion is provided. The electrical connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The latching element main body has a latching portion for latching the latching element main body on the second housing, the extending direction side of the cable connected to the second contact, and the extending direction. It is formed in at least one of the other side, The electrical connection apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The electrical connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
In the second housing, the second connector is attached to both ends of the end of the cable connected to the second contact in the extending direction and the end opposite to the extending direction. An electrical connection device, characterized in that a grip portion for pressing toward the connector side is provided.

Images