JPH06325816A - Low insertion force type electric connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a low insertion force type electric connector, which can be operated with a double lock member and can be realized for a multipole type connector using multiple receptacle contacts in plural rows. CONSTITUTION:A low insertion force type electric connector 10 is provided with an insertion path 27, which crosses at right angles with a contact receiving path 23 for multiple receptacle contacts 50, for a double lock member 40. The connector 10 is provided with an insertion force reducing means 30 including a pressing member 32, which is arranged to be nested in a recessed part 42 of the double lock member 40 and is connected with an operating arm 31 integrally formed with an insulating housing 20, for a contact arm 54 of a contact 50. The insertion force reducing means 30 and the double lock member 40 are operated at the same time when an opponent connector 60 is fitted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to electrical connectors, and more particularly to low insertion force electrical connectors having multiple receptacle contacts that contact the posts or tab contacts of a mating connector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art I / O connectors used for automobiles are
A large number of electrical signals and power lines are connected by using an electrical connector having a large number of contacts of 10 to several tens or more. The problem with such a multi-pole electrical connector is that the contact pressure of each contact accumulates according to the number of contacts, so the insertion / extraction force, especially the insertion force with the mating connector, increases and the operator manually engages. Is difficult to do. Therefore, a low insertion force type electric connector that reduces the insertion force with the mating connector is required.

Conventionally, attempts have been made to reduce the insertion force of such a multi-pole type electrical connector, that is, to develop a low insertion force type electrical connector, and various low insertion force type electrical connectors have been proposed and partially put into practical use. . Examples of these conventional low insertion force type electrical connectors will be described.

In Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 60-3668, an elastic contact piece of a receptacle contact is formed in a U shape, one end of which is fixed to a base behind a fitting surface, and the other free end is outward. Corresponds to the abutment protrusion by protruding. On the other hand, on the upper surface of the insulating housing, one opening or slot corresponding to this abutting protrusion is formed. In addition, a cantilever-shaped lock piece is formed in the insulating housing, and a part of the lock piece is arranged from the opening of the insulating housing so as to be in contact with the receptacle contact. The lock piece is pushed down when mating with the mating connector, pushing down the abutting projection of the receptacle contact, and reducing the insertion force with the male contact of the mating connector. When completely fitted, the lock piece elastically returns by itself and the projection of the lock piece and the abutting projection or abutment of the abutting projection of the receptacle contact are disengaged, so that both contacts come into contact with each other at a proper contact pressure.

In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-161679, a protrusion of a hinge-like pressing plate is inserted through an opening formed in the upper surface of the insulating housing to press the elastic contact piece of the receptacle contact. This pressing plate is pressed by the insulating housing of the mating connector when it is mated with the mating connector, or by a worker pressing with a finger or the like to reduce the contact resistance with the male contact of the mating connector and reduce insertion. I am empowered.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional low insertion force type electrical connector, the elastic arm is provided only for the purpose of simply reducing the fitting force or the insertion force, and thus it has a single function. is there. Furthermore, the desired effect of reducing the insertion force cannot be achieved if the contacts are not inserted in the correct positions within the contact receiving passages of the insulating housing. Furthermore, when the contacts are arranged in a plurality of rows, there is a problem that even if the contact in one row can be made to have a low insertion force, the contacts in the other rows cannot be made to have a low insertion force. It was

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to confirm whether or not each contact is mounted in the correct position during the mating work with the mating connector, and to reduce the insertion force when mating with the mating connector. In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel low insertion force type electrical connector in which each contact can be stably and reliably held in the contact receiving passage after the fitting operation. Another object of the present invention is to provide an electric connector which can reduce the insertion force of a multi-pole type electric connector having a plurality of rows of contacts.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to the low insertion force type electric connector of the present invention, the double lock member of the contact is nested. It is characterized in that it has an elastic contact arm pressing member of the contact inserted and arranged in.
That is, a large number of receptacle (female) contact receiving passages are formed between the fitting surface (front surface) and the back surface of the insulating housing, and the double lock member insertion passages are provided between the upper and lower surfaces which are orthogonal to the receptacle receiving passages. Insertion force reducing means that presses the elastic contact piece (elastic arm) of the receptacle contact in a nested manner is slidably arranged in the double lock member. This insertion force reducing means is preferably formed integrally with an elastic actuating arm formed in the shape of a cantilever beam or a cantilever beam on the upper surface of the insulating housing, and cooperates with the mating connector when engaging with the elastic arm of the contact. The contact resistance with the male contact of the mating connector, that is, the insertion force is significantly reduced by pressing, and it also engages with the engagement shoulder of the contact in cooperation with the double lock member to insulate the inserted receptacle contact. Hold it out of the contact receiving passages in the housing.

If the receptacle contact is not properly mounted in a predetermined position in the contact receiving passage of the insulating housing, the actuating arm cannot be pushed down so that the mating connector cannot be fitted. Therefore, the actuating arm not only operates the insertion force reducing means, but also cooperates with the double lock member to surely reduce the insertion force and properly hold the receptacle contact. Further, the insertion force reducing means, like the double lock member, has at least one row of through passages corresponding to the contact receiving passages of the insulating housing, and the contact can be inserted from the rear surface toward the fitting surface at the temporary locking position, When mating with the mating connector, the elastic arm of the contact is pushed down to reduce the insertion force and the double lock member is moved to the final locking position. Since this insertion force reducing means cooperates with the double lock member, it is possible to operate a large number of contacts formed and arranged in a plurality of rows.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the low insertion force type electric connector of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view for explaining the principle of the low insertion force type electric connector of the present invention. The low insertion force type electric connector 10 comprises an insulating housing 20, a double lock member 40 and a receptacle contact 50. According to this particular embodiment, the insulating housing 20 has two rows of upper and lower contact receiving passages 23 formed between the mating surface 21 and the rear surface 22. A primary locking member 24 called a housing lance is formed in each contact receiving passage 23 by integral molding with the insulating housing 20. Mating surface 21 of each contact receiving passage 23
A tapered contact insertion port 25 is formed on the side, and a post or tab-shaped male contact 65 of the mating connector 60 is inserted therein. Further, the fitting surface 21 is formed with a passage 26 extending below the primary lock member 24.

A passage 27 for a double (secondary) locking member 40 is formed at a substantially central portion of the insulating housing 20 so as to extend orthogonally to the contact receiving passage 23 and to penetrate the upper and lower surfaces. Further, an elastic operating arm 31 formed integrally with the insulating housing 20 on the upper surface of the insulating housing 20, and a substantially plate-shaped contact pressing member which is formed integrally with the operating arm 31 and is inserted into the central portion of the double lock member passage 27. It has an insertion force reducing means 30 consisting of a member 32. A protrusion 34 having a taper or a cam surface 33 inclined toward the fitting surface 21 is formed above the central portion of the elastic operation arm 31. On the other hand, the contact pressing member 32 is opened at a position corresponding to the upper row of contact receiving passages 25.
35 are formed.

The double lock member 40 is a block-shaped member having a recess (or groove) 42 on the upper surface into which the contact pressing member 32 of the insertion force reducing means 30 is inserted and having a substantially U-shaped cross section. The double lock member 40 is inserted into the double lock member passage 27 of the insulating housing 20 from the lower surface of the insulating housing 20. The double lock member 40 has two rows of openings 44, 46 corresponding to the contact receiving passages 23 of the insulating housing 20 in this particular embodiment.

Insulation housing constituting the electrical connector 10
The receptacle contacts 50 inserted into the multiple 20 of the contact receiving passages 23 have the structure as shown. That is, a conductor of an insulated wire (not shown) and a wire barrel 51 and an insulation (insulation) barrel 52, which are crimped to an insulating jacket, respectively, are provided at one end (rear end). U at the other end (front end)
It has a letter-shaped or box-shaped receptacle portion 53, and has a cantilever-shaped elastic contact arm 54 that extends obliquely from the bottom front side to the top rear side inside thereof. The free end of the contact arm 54 is bent upward to form an acting portion 55 that is substantially flush with the upper surface of the receptacle portion 53. Further, an engagement hole 57 is formed on the bottom surface of the receptacle portion 53. An engagement shoulder 56 is formed on the rear surface of the receptacle portion 53.

The double lock member 40 is inserted into the temporary lock position in the double lock member passage 27 of the insulating housing 20. That is, with the two rows of openings 44, 46 of the double lock member 40 properly aligned with the contact receiving passages 23 of the insulating housing 20, the mating surface 21 from the rear surface 22 side of the insulating housing 20.
A predetermined number of contacts 50 are inserted into each contact receiving passage 23 toward the. Each contact 50 is a contact receiving passage
When it is inserted into a predetermined position in 23, the engaging protrusions 24a on the upper surface of the primary lock member 24, which have been respectively bent downward by the contacts 50, engage with the engaging holes 57 of the contact 50, and the elasticity thereof causes the primary lock member 24 to move. 24 returns to its original position and primary locks the contact 50. That is, even if the rearward tension is applied to each contact 50, the contact 50 does not contact the insulating housing 20.
Of the contact receiving passage 23 from being pulled backward.

With the above work, the assembling work of the electric connector 10 is completed. However, an insulated wire (not shown) is generally crimped to each contact 50 as described above and then inserted into the contact receiving passage 23. Since this wire crimping work is the same as the conventional crimping work, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

Next, an example of the mating connector 60 to be fitted with the low insertion force type electric connector 10 will be described. The mating connector 60 has an insulating housing 61 having a substantially U-shaped cross section, and a large number of post contacts 65 planted in two rows on the vertical wall portion 62. Each post contact 65 has a contact portion that projects into the recess of the insulating housing 61 and a connection portion that extends outward from the wall 62 and is connected to a circuit board or the like (not shown). Also,
A cam surface 63 is formed at the front end of the upper wall of the insulating housing 61.

In order to fit the mating connector 60 with the low insertion force type electrical connector 10, the mating connector 60 is used.
Insert it into the recess 64 of the insulating housing 61 of 60. By this insertion work, the cam surface 63 of the mating connector 60 becomes the cam surface 33 of the projection 34 of the operating arm 31 on the upper surface of the electrical connector 10 before the post contact 65 is sufficiently inserted into the receptacle portion 53 of the receptacle contact 50. It engages and pushes down the operating arm 31. By pushing down the operating arm 31, the surfaces 36 and 37 of the contact pushing member 32 are moved to the receptacle contact 50.
And the contact arm 54 of the receptacle contact 50 is pushed down. When both connectors 10 and 60 are mated, the post contact 65 becomes a receptacle contact.
It is inserted into the receptacle portion 53 of 50 with a relatively low insertion force.
At this time, as described later, the inserted double lock member
40 also moves from the temporary locking position to the main locking position, and the openings 44, 46
The outer edge of is the receptacle part 53 of the receptacle contact 50.
By engaging with the engaging shoulder 56 of the above, the engagement holding of the contact 50 and the insulating housing 20 is ensured.

Immediately before complete mating of both connectors 10 and 60,
The cam surface 63 of the insulating housing 61 passes through the protrusion 34 of the working arm 31 of the insulating housing 20. Therefore, the operating arm 31
Returns to its normal state due to its elasticity. At the same time, the contact pressing member 32 formed integrally therewith also returns to the upper side, so that the contact arm 54 of the receptacle contact 50
Returns upward and increases the contact pressure with the post contact 65. Therefore, a slight wiping action is generated between the contacts 50 and 65 to ensure reliable contact.

Next, description will be made with reference to FIGS. 2 (A) and 2 (B). FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the insulating housing 20 as seen obliquely from above the rear surface 22 of a preferred embodiment of the low insertion force type electrical connector 10 according to the present invention. On the other hand, FIG. 2B shows the receptacle contact 50 and the insulated wire 58 connected to the receptacle contact 50 by cutting away a part of the right end of the perspective view of the fitting surface 21 of the insulating housing 20 as seen obliquely from above.

As is apparent from FIGS. 2A and 2B,
On the upper surface of the insulating housing 20, elongated contact pressing members 32 connected to the pair of elastic actuating arms 31a and 31b are provided near the left and right ends. 2 on the mating surface 21 of the insulating housing 20
It has a row of post contact insertion openings 25 and two rows of access openings 26 to the primary locking members 24. Also, 2 on the back 22
It has openings for the row of contact receiving passageways 23 through which the receptacle contacts 50 can be inserted.
Forty-two contact receiving passageways 23 in this particular embodiment
Are formed.

Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 3A to 3C,
The fitting operation of the low insertion force type electrical connector 10 of the present invention and the mating connector 60 will be described in detail. These drawings are schematic views showing the vertical cross-sections of the low insertion force type connector 10 and the mating connector 60 shown in FIG. 2, and only the operating arm 31, the double lock member 40 and the contact pressing member 32 are hatched for convenience of explanation. The hatching of other parts is omitted.

FIG. 3A shows a state in which the electric connector 10 and the mating connector 60 have been fitted together. In this state, the front cam portion (or ramp portion) 33 of the protrusion 34 of the operating arm 31 of the insulating housing 20 and the cam portion 63 at the front end of the upper wall of the insulating housing 61 of the mating connector 60 are in cam engagement. Further, the post contact 65 of the mating connector 60 abuts due to the taper of the contact insertion port 25 of the mating surface 21 of the insulating housing 20, and the receptacle contact 50 in the predetermined contact receiving passage 23.
Aligned to be guided to. At this time,
No external force is applied to the operating arm 31, and the contact pressing member 32 in the normal state is at the upper position. The contact arm 54 of each receptacle contact 50 is in a normal (stress-free) state, and the working portion 55 at its free end substantially abuts the surfaces 36, 37.

FIG. 3B shows a state in which the electric connector 10 is further fitted to the mating connector 60. In this state, the cam surface 63 of the mating connector 60 is attached to the protrusion 34 of the operating arm 31.
Ride on. Therefore, the operating arm 31 is pushed down by its elasticity and bends downward, and the contact pushing member 32 pushes down the action portion 55 of the contact arm 54 of each receptacle contact 50. By pressing down, the receptacle contact
The contact portion of the contact arm 54 of 50 is also pushed down, and the post contact 65 is inserted substantially without contact with the contact arm 54 as shown. The insertion force between the electric connector 10 and the mating connector 60 is pushed by the cam surface 63 of the insulating housing 61 against the elasticity of the operating arm 31 of the insulating housing 20 and the elasticity of the contact arm 54 of each receptacle contact 50. Since only the lowering force is applied, the insertion force can be suppressed sufficiently low. In particular, each receptacle contact 50
Since the contact arm 54 is not the contact portion at the substantially central portion thereof but the operation portion 55 at the free end sufficiently separated from the bent end, the contact arm 54 is pressed,
It should be noted that the lever requires little force. Also, as described above, both contacts 50 and 65 are provided between them.
Are virtually contactless receptacle contacts
Also notice that it is inserted within 50. By pressing the operating arm 31, the double lock member 40 also moves from the temporary locking position to the final locking position.

FIG. 3C is a view showing a state in which the electric connector 10 and the mating connector 60 are completely fitted together. In this state, the cam surface 63 of the insulating housing 61 of the mating connector 60 passes through the cam projection 34 of the operating arm 31. Therefore, the operating arm 31 automatically returns to the normal state, that is, the initial state shown in FIG. 3A, by its elasticity and the elasticity of the contact arm 54 of the receptacle contact 50. Thus working arm
When 31 and contact arm 54 return, post contact 65
And the contact arm 54 of the receptacle contact 50 come into contact with each other with a sufficient contact pressure. At the same time, each receptacle contact 50 is securely held by the primary locking member 24 and the double locking member 40 which are housing lances in the contact receiving passage 23 of the insulating housing 20. Further, the electrical connector 10 and the mating connector 60 are latch-engaged with each other by a substantially vertical engaging shoulder on the rear portion of the projection 34 of the actuating arm 31 and a similar engaging shoulder on the rear surface of the cam surface 63, so that both connectors can be securely connected. Latch 10, 60.

The operation of releasing the latches of the two connectors 10 and 60 which are engaged with each other and latched as shown in FIG. 3C will be described. The release of the latch may be performed by pushing down the actuating arm 31 itself, but as shown in FIG. 2, it may be performed by pushing the projection 39 formed at the center of the upper surface of the contact pushing member 30 with a finger or the like. Therefore, although not shown, it is preferable to form a slit or slot at a position corresponding to the protrusion 39 of the insulating housing 61 of the mating connector 60.

FIG. 4 is a cutaway perspective view for explaining a state in which the low insertion force type electric connector 10 according to the present invention is completely fitted with the mating connector 60. The subject matter of the present invention may be better understood by reading the above description with reference to this drawing. However, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to such a specific embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the receptacle 58 used in the electrical connector 10 of FIG. 1 connected to the wire 58. This receptacle contact 50 'is similar to the receptacle contact 50 of FIG. 1, but the receptacle portion 53
Is not box-shaped but U-shaped and does not have a top wall. When the post contact of the mating connector has sufficient steelness, or when the post contact of the mating connector is sandwiched between the contact arm and the upper wall surface of the contact receiving passage of the insulating housing to make contact, such a U-shaped contact Can be used.

The low insertion force type electrical connector of the present invention has been described above with reference to the preferred embodiments. However, it will be understood that various modifications and changes can be made to the insulating housing, contacts, and other parts as necessary without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the operating arm may be pushed by the operator when operating the mating connector.

[0030]

As can be understood from the above description, according to the low insertion force type electrical connector of the present invention, the nested contact pressing member is integrally formed with the elastic actuating arm of the insulating housing in the double lock member. ing. Therefore,
The actuating arm is operated by pressing the contact arm of the receptacle contact, operating the double lock member (from the temporary locking position to the final locking position), and latching it with the mating connector. It can function automatically. Further, if the receptacle contact is not properly inserted and arranged in the insulating housing, the double-lock member prevents the actuating arm from being pushed down, so that the semi-inserted state of the contact can be effectively detected. It has various practically remarkable characteristics.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded cross-sectional view illustrating the principle of a low insertion force type electrical connector of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the overall shape of a preferred embodiment of the low insertion force type electrical connector of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a fitting operation of the low insertion force type electric connector of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a fitted state of the low insertion force type electric connector of FIG. 2 and a mating connector.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which a wire is connected to a receptacle contact that can be used in the low insertion force type electric connector of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Low insertion force type electrical connector 20 Insulation housing 23 Contact receiving passage 27 Double locking member insertion passage 30 Insertion force reducing means 40 Double locking member 50 Receptacle contact 54 Contact arm 60 Mating connector 65 Post contact

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An electrical connector having a large number of contact receiving passages between a mating surface and a back surface of an insulating housing and a double lock member insertion passage orthogonal to the passages, the mating member being slidably disposed in the double lock member. A low insertion force type electrical connector comprising an insertion force reducing means for pressing an elastic contact arm of a receptacle contact inserted in the contact receiving passage of the insulating housing when the connector is fitted.