Connector coupling apparatus

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a connector coupling apparatus for example used in a vehicle door and preferable for fitting female and male connectors having multiple poles to each other and releasing them.

2. Description of the Prior Art

This kind of connector fitting structure has been disclosed in, for example, Japanese Laid Open Patent Application No. 9-55262. In the connector coupling apparatus disclosed therein, as shown in

FIG. 1A

, a female connector

5

provided on an electrical device is fit to a male connector

1

inserted into an insertion hole

8

a

of a connector mounting plate

8

through a mounting opening

9

a

of an instrumental panel

9

. This male connector

1

has a flexible engaging piece

2

. Prior to fitting of the male connector

1

, a protrusion

2

a

provided on the engaging piece

2

is engaged with the insertion hole

8

a

of the connector mounting plate

8

. As shown in

FIGS. 1B

,

1

C, the female connector

5

is inserted through the mounting opening

9

a

of the instrumental panel

9

and fit to the male connector

1

. As a result, when the male connector

1

is normally fit to the female connector

5

, the engaging piece

2

deflects downward so that a hook portion

3

on a front end of the engaging piece

2

is embedded into a recess hole

6

of the female connector

5

. When the electrical device

4

is further pressed from this condition, as shown in

FIG. 1D

, the male connector

1

is forced up to an assembly position, so that the female connector

5

is locked within the mounting opening

9

a

of the instrumental panel

9

through a locking piece

4

a

of the electrical device

4

.

However, in the above described conventional connector fitting structure, because there is formed a tapered face

2

b

on a rear portion of the protrusion

2

a

of the engaging piece

2

of the male connector

1

, the male connector

1

is likely to retract halfway when fitting together both the connectors

1

,

5

, so that it is difficult to install both the connectors

1

,

5

at a normal position where both the connectors are fit to each other completely, thus the reliability of connection is low. Therefore, if the fitting between both the connectors

1

and

5

is released for maintenance and inspection, the male connector

1

remains drooping behind the connector mounting plate

8

, so that it is impossible to fit both the connectors

1

,

5

to each other when the maintenance and inspection is completed. If the wire harness connected to the male connector

1

is pulled for some reason after both the connectors

1

,

5

are fit to each other, there is a fear that the fitting of both the connectors

1

,

5

may be lost because there is no locking means provided between both the connectors

1

and

5

. Further, because both the, connectors

1

,

5

are fit to each other by only a holding force between a female terminal (not shown) of the male connector

1

and a male terminal

7

of the female connector

5

, the fitting force between both the connectors

1

and

5

is insufficient so that it is weak against a vibration, thereby often producing looseness, abnormal noise and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It therefore is an object of the present invention is to provide a connector coupling apparatus having a high reliability, which enables fitting of female and male connectors to each other and releasing thereof securely and easily and is capable of ensuring the fitting condition of both the connectors when they are fit to each other.

To achieve the object, a first aspect of the present invention provides a connector coupling apparatus in which one of female and male connectors is installed on a mounting base in a waiting condition through a holder such that the other connector is freely attachable to or detachable from the one connector, the connector coupling apparatus being so constructed that the one connector is provided freely slidably in the holder; the holder and one connector are provided each with an engaging means for maintaining the waiting condition of the one connector; the other connector is provided with a holding means for maintaining an engagement condition of each engaging means when both the connectors are fit to each other and a holding releasing means for releasing the engagement condition of each engaging means when the fitting of both the connectors is completed; and both the connectors are freely slidable toward the mounting base relative to the holder when the fitting of both the connectors is completed.

According to the first aspect, the engagement condition between the engaging means of the holder and the one connector is maintained securely until the fitting of both the connectors is completed by the holding means of the other connector. Therefore, the fitting of both the connectors can be ensured, thereby improving reliability. When the fitting of both the connectors is completed, the engagement condition between the engaging means of the holder and the one connector is released by the holding releasing means of the other connector. Thus, when both the connectors slide relative to the holder, it can be confirmed that the fitting of both the connectors is completed, so that it is easy to confirm the fitting condition of both the connectors.

In this connector coupling apparatus, the engagement condition between the engaging means of the holder and one connector is maintained securely until the fitting of both the connectors is completed by the holding means of the other connector. Therefore, the fitting of both the connectors is ensured, thereby improving reliability. When the fitting of both the connectors is completed, the engagement condition between the engaging means of the holder and the one connector is released by the holding releasing means of the other connector. Thus, when both the connectors slide relative to the holder, it is evident that the fitting of both the connectors is completed, so that it is easy to confirm the fitting condition of both the connectors.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a connector coupling apparatus according to the first aspect wherein the engaging means of the holder is constituted by a flexible arm having an engaging portion at a front end thereof; the engaging means of the one connector is constituted by a flexible engaging piece having an engaging portion which is fit to or released from the engaging portion of the flexible arm; the holding means and holding releasing means of the other connector are constituted by the same protrusion; and the waiting condition of the one connector is maintained by an engagement between the engaging portion of the flexible arm and the engaging portion of the flexible engaging piece.

According to the second aspect, the retraction position of the one connector in the projected waiting position is restricted by the engagement between the engaging portion of the flexible arm of the holder and the engaging portion of the flexible engaging piece of the one connector. Thus, it is easy to fit both the connectors to each other. Further, because the flexible arm of the holder and the flexible engaging piece of the one connector are disposed at the same place and the holding means and holding releasing means of the other connector are constituted by the same protrusion, the overall size of the connectors can be reduced.

In this connector coupling apparatus, the retraction position of the one connector in the projected waiting position is restricted by the engagement between the engaging portion of the flexible arm of the holder and the engaging portion of the flexible engaging piece of the one connector. Thus, it is easy to fit both the connectors to each other. Further, because the flexible arm of the holder and the flexible engaging piece of the one connector are disposed at the same place and the holding means and holding releasing means of the other connector are constituted by the same protrusion, the overall size of the connectors can be reduced.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector coupling apparatus according to the second aspect wherein, when the engaging portion of the flexible arm engages with the engaging portion of the flexible engaging piece, a stopper receiving portion provided on the one connector is freely engageable with a stopper provided on the holder.

According to the third aspect, the projection position of the one connector in the projected waiting condition is restricted by the engagement between the stopper of the holder and the stopper receiving portion of the one connector. Thus, the fitting position of both the connectors can be always the same as the releasing position thereof, so that the releasing work for both the connectors for maintenance and inspection and the fitting thereof after that can be carried out easily.

In this connector coupling apparatus, the projection position of the one connector in the projected waiting condition is restricted by the engagement between the stopper of the holder and the stopper receiving portion of the one connector. Thus, the fitting position of both the connectors is always the same as the releasing position thereof, so that the releasing work for both the connectors for maintenance and inspection and the fitting thereof after that are facilitated.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector coupling apparatus according to the first or second aspect wherein the holder has a side wall projecting for enclosing the one connector in the waiting condition.

According to the fourth aspect, because the one connector is enclosed by the side wall of the holder completely, the one connector can be protected from an external loading force or the like, so that there never occurs such a case in which the engagement condition between the engaging means of the holder and the engaging means of the one connector is lost by the external loading force or the like so that the one connector slides within the holder in such a direction of releasing the waiting condition. Therefore, the waiting condition of the one connector is maintained by the engagement between the engaging means of the holder and the engaging means of the one connector, so that the fitting thereof to the other connector can be carried out securely.

In this connector coupling apparatus, because the one connector is enclosed by the side wall of the holder completely, the one connector is protected from an external loading force or the like, so that there never occurs such a case in which the engagement condition between the engaging means of the holder and the engaging means of the one connector is lost by the external loading force or the like so that the one connector slides within the holder in such a direction of releasing the waiting condition. Therefore, the waiting condition of the one connector is maintained by the engagement between the engaging means of the holder and the engaging means of the one connector, so that the fitting thereof to the other connector is carried out securely.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector coupling apparatus according to the fourth aspect wherein the one connector held in the waiting condition through the holder and the holder itself are divided into a plurality thereof each; and these divided connectors are located so as to wait at each deviated position in the direction of fitting to the other connectors through each holder.

According to the fifth aspect, because the divided one connector is located so as to wait at a position deviated from the divided other connector in a direction of fitting thereof to the other mating connector through each holder, the peak of total fitting force for both the female and male connectors can be diverted so that the required fitting force for both the connectors can be reduced, thereby improving the assembly performance.

In this connector coupling apparatus, a peak of total fitting force for the female and male connectors is diverted so that the required fitting force for both the connectors is reduced, thereby improving the assembly performance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and further objects and novel features of the present invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description when the same is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A

is a sectional view of conventional female and male connectors prior to fitting,

FIG. 1B

is a sectional view of both the connectors during fitting,

FIG. 1C

is a sectional view showing a condition in which both the connectors are being mounted at each normal position, and

FIG. 1D

is sectional view showing a condition in which the mounting of both the connectors is completed;

FIG. 2

is a perspective view showing a condition prior to the fitting between female and male connectors for use in a connector coupling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3

is a perspective view of a hood of the male connector;

FIG. 4

is a sectional view showing a state prior to the fitting of both the connectors;

FIG. 5

is a sectional view showing a state of an initial period of the fitting of both the connectors;

FIG. 6

is a sectional view showing a halfway condition of the fitting of both the connectors;

FIG. 7

is a sectional view showing a state in which the fitting of both the connectors is completed;

FIG. 8

is an exploded perspective view of a vehicle door employing the connector coupling apparatus;

FIG. 9

is an explanatory view showing a state prior to the installation of the female and male connectors having the connector coupling apparatus employed in the above vehicle door switch;

FIG. 10

is an explanatory view showing a state in which the fitting of both the connectors is completed;

FIG. 11

is an explanatory view showing a state in which the installation of the vehicle door switch is completed;

FIG. 12

is a perspective view showing a state prior to the fitting of the female and male connectors for use in the connector coupling apparatus according to the other embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13

is a sectional view showing a state of the initial period of the fitting between the female and male connectors according to the other embodiment; and

FIG. 14

is an explanatory view showing a state prior to the fitting of the female and male connectors for use in the connector coupling apparatus according to the other embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

There will be detailed below the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like members are designated by a like reference character.

FIG. 2

is a perspective view showing a state before fitting of a female connector and a male connector for use in a connector coupling apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4

is a sectional view showing a state before fitting of the female connector and the male connector.

FIG. 8

is an exploded perspective view of a vehicle door employing the same connector coupling apparatus.

FIG. 9

is an explanatory diagram showing a state before the installation of the female connector and the male connector having the connector coupling apparatus employed in the same vehicle door.

As shown in

FIGS. 2

,

9

, of a male connector

20

and a female connector

30

both made of synthetic resin, the male connector

20

(one connector of them) is to be installed on a door panel (mounting base)

50

in

FIG. 9 through a

holder

10

made of synthetic resin such that it projects. The female connector

30

is capable of being freely fit to and released from the male connector

20

projected from this holder

10

. This female connector

30

is installed on a switch

41

of a switch unit

40

such as a power window switch unit or the like through a substrate (not shown). The switch unit

40

is to be installed on a switch mounting hole (switch mounting portion)

61

formed on a door trim (other mounting base)

60

.

As shown in

FIGS. 2

,

3

,

5

, the holder

10

comprises a cylindrical body

11

formed in the shape of a substantially rectangular cylinder with upper and lower walls

11

a

,

11

b

and left and right side walls

11

c

,

11

d

and a mounting bracket

12

formed integrally therewith so as to project from this cylindrical body. Each of the left side wall

11

c

and right side wall

11

d

has a pair of slits

13

provided in the center thereof and a L-shaped flexible arm (engaging means)

14

is formed between the pair of the slits

13

so as to project therefrom. As shown in

FIG. 5

, a protrusion (engaging portion)

15

having a trapezoidal section is formed inside of a front end of each of the pair of the flexible arms (engaging means)

14

so as to project therefrom. A rear portion of each protrusion

15

has a tapered face

15

a.

As shown in

FIG. 4

, in the center of the front end of the inside faces of the upper wall

11

a

and lower wall

11

b

of the cylindrical body

11

of the holder

10

are formed a pair of stoppers

16

for restricting an amount of projection of the male connector

20

forward integrally with both the walls such that they project therefrom. A clearance is provided on the entire circumference between the cylindrical body

11

of the holder

10

and a hood

22

of the male connector

20

which will be described later, so that the hood

22

is supported freely slidably within the cylindrical body

11

of the holder

10

. That is, when the fitting between the male connector

20

and female connector

30

is completed, both the connectors

20

,

30

are freely slidable downward of the door panel with respect to the cylindrical body

11

of the holder

10

in the fitting completion condition.

As shown in

FIGS. 2

,

4

,

7

, the male connector

20

comprises a housing

21

containing a plurality of chambers

21

a

for accommodating a female terminal

27

and a hood

22

for covering this housing

21

. A base portion

21

b

of this housing

21

is installed in a base portion

22

b

of the hood

22

by pressure insertion such that it is centered by the base portion

22

b

of the hood

22

. As shown in

FIGS. 2

,

3

, the hood

22

is formed in the shape of a substantially rectangular cylinder with the upper and lower walls and the left and right side walls and acts as a guide for the holder

10

and the female connector

30

. In the center of each of the left and right side walls of the substantially rectangular cylindrical hood

22

, there are formed a pair of slits

23

and a flexible engaging piece (engaging means)

24

of a U-shape is formed integrally with each side wall between the pair of the slits

23

so that it is fit to and released from, as seen only in

FIG. 2

, the protrusion

15

of each flexible arm

14

of the holder

10

. The width of this flexible engaging piece

24

is set so as to be larger than the width of the protrusion

15

of each flexible arm

14

and each of the flexible engaging pieces

24

is freely contactable with the left side wall

11

c

and right side wall

11

d

in the vicinity of each flexible arm

14

of the cylindrical body

11

of the holder

10

.

As shown in

FIG. 5

, when the protrusion

15

of each flexible arm

14

of the holder

10

engages with an engaging hole

25

of each flexible engaging piece

24

of the hood

22

of the male connector

20

, the male connector

20

waits for the female connector

30

to be fit thereto while being projected in a predetermined length from the holder

10

. That is, because the protrusion

15

of each flexible arm

14

of the holder

10

engages with the engaging hole

25

of each flexible engaging piece

24

of the hood

22

of the male connector

20

, the retraction of the male connector

20

with respect to the holder

10

is restricted. When the male connector

20

is at this waiting position while projected, both the connectors

20

,

30

can be fit to or released from each other. As shown in

FIGS. 3

,

4

, in the center of a bottom side of each of the vertical walls of the hood

22

of the male connector

20

, there is formed a stopper receiving portion

26

integrally therewith such that they project therefrom. In

FIG. 5

, when the protrusion

15

of each flexible arm

14

of the holder

10

engages with the engaging hole

25

of each flexible engaging piece

24

of the hood

22

of the male connector

20

, each stopper receiving portion

26

in

FIG. 4

showing the hood

22

of the male connector

20

engages with each stopper

16

of the cylindrical body

11

of the holder

10

so that the forward projection of the male connector

20

is restricted. As shown in

FIGS. 4-8

, wire

28

constituting wire harness W in

FIG. 8

is connected by pressure welding or crimping to a rear end of each female terminal

27

of the housing

21

of the male connector

20

.

As shown in

FIGS. 2

,

5

,

7

, the female connector

30

has a base portion

31

structured in the form of blocks including a plurality of chambers

31

a

for accommodating male terminals

37

in

FIG. 5

only. Its front portion is a hood portion

32

of a rectangular cylinder which is formed integrally with the base portion

31

and in which respective male terminals

37

are exposed. When both the connectors

20

,

30

are fit to each other, the hood portion

32

of the female connector

30

is inserted in between the housing

21

and hood

22

of the male connector

20

so that the terminals

27

,

37

of both the connectors

20

,

30

are electrically connected to each other. Further, in the center of the front side of the outer surface of each of both sides of the hood portion

32

of the female connector

30

, there is formed integrally therewith a protrusion

33

which acts as a means for holding the engagement between the protrusion

15

of each flexible arm

14

of the holder

10

and the engaging hole

25

of each flexible engaging piece

24

of the male connector

20

and as a holding releasing means for releasing the engagement between the protrusion

15

of each flexible arm

14

of the holder

10

and the engaging hole

25

of each flexible engaging piece

24

of the male connector

20

when the fitting between both the connectors

20

and

30

is completed or both the connectors are released from each other at the same time. This protrusion

33

is formed in the shape of a triangle and a front side thereof is a tapered face (engaging face)

33

a

and a rear side thereof is also a tapered face (releasing face)

33

b.

As shown in

FIGS. 5

,

7

,

11

, a switch unit

40

comprises a switch

41

, the female connector

30

fixed to this switch

41

through a substrate or the like (not shown) and leaf springs

42

(locking means) of V-shaped metal each which is fixed to a top side of each of both sides of the aforementioned switch

41

by screwing or the like for locking the switch

41

mounted in a switch mounting hole

61

of the door trim (other mounting base)

60

. As shown in

FIG. 7

, a mounting clearance t′ between the switch

41

of the switch unit

40

and the switch mounting hole

61

of the door trim

60

is set so as to be smaller than a clearance t between the cylindrical body

11

of the holder

10

and the hood

22

of the male connector

20

(t>t′). Further, as shown in

FIG. 8

, a waterproof sheet

51

is bonded to the door panel

50

.

According to the connector coupling apparatus of the above described embodiment, when the male connector

20

on the wire harness W side of the door panel

50

is connected to the female connector

30

on the switch unit

40

side, first the waterproof sheet

51

is stretched over the door panel

50

and then the wire harness W is placed on the door panel

50

over the waterproof sheet

51

. Then, the door trim

60

is installed on the door panel

50

in which the wire harness W is stretched. Then, the female connector

30

of the switch unit

40

is installed in the switch mounting hole

61

of the door trim

60

and finally, the female connector

30

is fit to the male connector

20

connected to an end of the wire harness W.

In this case, as shown in

FIGS. 9-11

, the male connector

20

of the wire harness side is installed on the door panel

50

through the holder

10

of the male connector

20

and the male connector

20

is kept in a waiting position such that it projects towards the switch mounting hole

61

side of the door trim

60

. When the switch unit

40

is installed in the switch mounting hole

61

, the female connector

30

of the switch unit

40

side is fit to the male connector

20

on the wire harness side. The fitting between both the connectors

20

and

30

will be described with reference to

FIGS. 5-7

. In the initial state of the fitting between the male connector

20

and female connector

30

as shown in

FIG. 5

, the projected waiting condition of the male connector

20

is held by the engagement between the protrusion

15

of each flexible arm

14

of the holder

10

and the engaging hole

25

of each flexible engaging piece

24

of the male connector

20

. In the halfway process of the fitting between the male connector

20

and the female connector

30

as shown in

FIG. 6

, each flexible engaging piece

24

of the male connector

20

is elastically deformed outward by a pressing force of each protrusion

33

of the female connector

30

so that the engaging hole

25

of each flexible engaging piece

24

of the male connector

20

comes into contact with a top end of each flexible arm

14

of the holder

10

. Therefore, the engagement between the protrusion

15

of each flexible arm

14

of the holder

10

and the engaging hole

25

of each flexible engaging piece

24

of the male connector

20

is securely maintained.

If the fitting between both the connectors

20

and

30

is completed as shown in

FIG. 7

, each protrusion

33

of the female connector

30

enters the engaging hole

25

of each flexible engaging piece

24

of the male connector

20

. At this time, the tapered face of each protrusion

33

of the female connector

30

presses the protrusion

15

of each flexible arm

14

of the holder

10

outward so that each of the flexible arms

14

is elastically deformed outward. As a result, the engagement between the protrusion

15

of each flexible arm

14

of the holder

10

and the engaging hole

25

of each flexible engaging piece

24

of the mate connector

20

is released, so that both the connectors

20

,

30

fit in each other and slide together downward in the holder

10

. If this slide is completed, the switch

41

installed in the switch mounting hole

61

of the door trim

60

is locked by an elastic urging force of the leaf spring

42

so that the installation of the switch unit

40

to the door panel is completed. At this time, both the connectors

20

,

30

fit to each other and are locked by the engagement between the engaging hole

25

of each flexible engaging piece

24

of the male connector

20

and each protrusion

33

of the female connector

30

. Even if the wire harness W in

FIG. 8

connected to the male connector

20

is stretched for some reason after both the connectors

20

,

30

are fit to each other, the fitting of both the connectors

20

,

30

is never released.

If the switch

41

is pulled upward as shown in

FIG. 6

when both the connectors

20

,

30

are released from the fitting condition thereof for maintenance and inspection, the tapered face

33

b

of each protrusion

33

of the female connector

30

presses the protrusion

15

of each flexible arm

14

of the holder

10

outward so that each flexible arm

14

is deflected outward. As a result, each flexible engaging piece

24

of the male connector

20

is exposed from the holder

10

, so that the protrusion

15

of each flexible arm

14

of the holder

10

engages with the engaging hole

25

of each flexible engaging piece

24

of the male connector

20

(this position is the same position as the projected waiting position of the male connector

20

prior to the fitting). Then, by pulling the switch

41

further upward, the female connector

30

is released from the male connector

20

smoothly. If the female connector

30

is fit to the male connector

20

again after the maintenance and inspection is completed because the male connector

20

is located at the waiting position which is projected with respect to the holder

10

, it is easy to fit the female connector

30

to the male connector

20

.

Because the engagement between the flexible arm

14

of the holder

10

and the flexible engaging piece

24

of the male connector

20

is maintained securely until the fitting between both the connectors

20

and

30

is completed, the fitting between both the connectors

20

and

30

can be ensured, thereby improving reliability. Also, because the engagement between the flexible arm

14

of the holder

10

and the flexible engaging piece

24

of the mate connector

20

is released by the protrusion

33

of the female connector

30

when the fitting of both the connectors

20

,

30

is completed, it can be known that the fitting of both the connectors

20

,

30

has been completed when both the connectors

20

,

30

slide downward with respect to the holder

10

, so that it is easy to confirm the fitting condition of both the connectors

20

,

30

. Therefore, both the connectors

20

,

30

can be aligned with each other and fit to each other smoothly. Further, both the connectors

20

,

30

can be slid with respect to the holder

10

easily while keeping the fitting condition of both the connectors

20

,

30

when they are mounted on the door panel. Consequently, vibration and the like is prevented, thereby improving anti-vibration performance and preventing an occurrence of abnormal noise. Further, in

FIG. 8

, where the sliding of both the connectors

20

,

30

in the fitting condition with respect to the holder

10

is completed, installation error between the door panel

50

and the door trim

60

can be absorbed, thereby preventing occurrence of looseness, vibration and generation of abnormal noise.

In

FIG. 7

, by the engagement between the protrusion

15

of the flexible arm

14

of the holder

10

and engaging hole

25

of the flexible engaging piece

24

of the male connector

20

, the retraction position of the male connector

20

at the projected waiting position is restricted, and it is easy to fit both the connectors

20

,

30

to each other. Further, because the flexible arm

14

of the holder

10

and the flexible engaging piece

24

of the male connector

20

are disposed at the same position and the further the holding means and holding releasing means of the female connector

30

are constituted by the same protrusion

33

, the size of the overall connector can be reduced. Further, as seen in

FIG. 4

, because the forward projected waiting position of the male connector

20

is restricted by the engagement between the stopper

16

of the holder

10

and the stopper receiving portion

26

of the male connector

20

, the fitting position and releasing position of both the connectors

20

,

30

can be always set to the same position, so that the releasing work and the fitting work of both the connectors

20

,

30

can be carried out securely at the time of maintenance and inspection.

According to the above described embodiment, the forward projected waiting position of the male connector

20

with respect to the holder

10

is restricted by the engagement between the stopper

16

on the front side of the holder

10

and the stopper receiving portion

26

on the rear side of the male connector

20

. However, as shown in

FIG. 17

, it is permissible to restrict the retraction position of the male connector

20

with respect to the holder

10

by the engagement between the stopper

17

on the rear portion of the holder

10

and the stopper receiving portion

26

on the rear portion of the male connector

20

.

FIG. 12

is a perspective view showing a state prior to fitting of the female and male connectors for use in the connector coupling apparatus according to other embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13

is a sectional view showing the state of the initial period of the fitting of both the connectors.

In

FIG. 12

, at the front ends of the upper and lower walls

11

a

,

11

b

and left side and right side walls

11

c

,

11

d

of a cylindrical body

11

′ of a holder

10

′, there are formed extension side walls (side wall)

11

a

′,

11

b

′,

11

c

′,

11

d′

enclosing the male connector

20

(one connector) completely integrally therewith such that they project. That is, an extension portion longer by a distance L than the cylindrical body

11

of the holder

10

according to the previously described embodiment is provided so as to enclose the cylindrical body

11

′ of the male connector

20

completely. Further, the length of a base portion

31

′ of a female connector (another connector)

30

′ is increased by the same amount as the extension distance L. Because the other composition is the same as the previously described embodiment, the same reference numerals are attached to the same components and a description thereof is omitted.

Because, according to the connector coupling apparatus of this embodiment, the male connector

20

is enclosed completely by the extension side walls

11

a

′-

11

d

′ of the cylindrical body

11

′ of the holder

10

′, even if foreign matter comes into contact with the male connector

20

so that an external loading force is applied to the male connector

20

in the waiting condition shown in

FIG. 13

, the male connector

20

is protected by the holder

10

′, so that the engagement between the protrusion

15

of each flexible arm (engaging means)

14

of the holder

10

′ and the engaging hole

25

of each flexible engaging piece (engaging means)

24

of the male connector

20

is never lost. Therefore, there is no possibility that upon packing and placing the wire harness, the engagement between the holder

10

′ and the male connector

20

is lost by an external loading force or the like so that the male connector

20

drops down into the holder

10

′. That is, the waiting condition of the male connector

20

is never released before it is fit to the female connector

30

′, so that the complete fitting between the male connector

20

and the female connector

30

′ can be achieved securely.

FIG. 14

is an explanatory diagram showing a state prior to the fitting between the female and mate connectors for use in a connector coupling apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

According to this embodiment, there are provided two units of male connectors (one connector)

20

″ held in the waiting condition on a mounting base

50

″ through holders

10

″, and further two units of female connectors (other connector)

30

″ provided so as to protrude on a module portion (machine unit)

40

″ and in which male terminals

37

are contained. The two divided male connectors

20

″ wait at such a position so that they are deviated at a distance S in the direction of fitting to each female connector

30

″ through engaging means at a different position relative to each holder

10

″. The male connectors

20

″ are enclosed completely by peripheral walls (side wall)

11

″ of each holder

10

″.

Each holder

10

″ engages with each male connector

20

″ through each engaging means (not shown) (same structure as the combination of the protrusion

15

of the flexible arm

14

and engaging hole

25

of the flexible engaging piece

24

of the male connector

20

according to the above described embodiment). The waiting condition of each male connector

20

″ is maintained by this engagement. If both the connectors

20

″,

30

″ are fit to each other completely, the engagement is released so that each male connector

20

″ retracts relative to each holder

10

″. Further, the left holder

10

″ projected in the distance S retracts with respect to the mounting base

50

″ when both the right connectors

20

″,

30

″ are fit to each other. A wire

28

is connected to each male connector

20

″ for constituting the wire harness W.

According to the connector coupling apparatus of this embodiment, one male connector

20

″ is fit to one female connector

30

″ mounted directly on the module portion

40

″ and after that, the other male connector

20

″ is fit to the other female connector

30

″. Therefore, it is possible to divert a peak of total fitting force (load) for both the connectors

20

″,

30

″. As a result, the fitting force for both the connectors

20

″,

30

″ can be reduced, thereby improving the assembly performance of the module portion

40

″.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

Number	Date	Country	Kind
9-215123	Aug 1997	JP
9-301003	Oct 1997	JP

Number	Name	Date	Kind
4998889	Moly	Mar 1991
5788522	Kameyama	Aug 1998

Connector coupling apparatus

Information

Patent Number

Date Filed

Date Issued

Inventors

Original Assignees

Examiners

Agents

CPC

US Classifications

Field of Search

US

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims

Priority Claims (2)

US Referenced Citations (2)

Foreign Referenced Citations (1)