Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6475014
-
Patent Number
6,475,014
-
Date Filed
Friday, April 21, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, November 5, 200222 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Ta; Tho D.
- Nguyen; Phuong Chi
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 439 352
- 439 159
- 439 923
- 439 489
- 439 188
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
In the connector fitting structure 1 of the invention, a male connector 10 includes lock arms 16, each having a housing lock 18 formed at a distal end thereof, first engagement portions 46 formed on an inner surface of an outer housing 11, and a second engagement portion 48 formed on the outer housing 11 and disposed below the lock arms 16. The housing locks 18 are engageable with engagement projections 43, respectively, and a pressing portion 19 is formed on an upper surface of the lock arms 16. First and second slide members 21 and 26, holding compression springs 33 therebetween, are mounted within the outer housing 11 so as to slide in a fitting direction. The second slide member 26 includes first engagement arms 28 for engagement respectively with the first engagement portions 46, a second engagement arm 47 for engagement with the second engagement portion 48, and retaining portions 27 for respectively locking the lock arms 16 after the fitting operation is effected. The first slide member 21 has a slide groove 22 for allowing the first engagement arms 28 to escape thereinto.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field to which the Invention Belongs
This invention relates to a connector fitting structure in which a half-fitted condition is positively prevented by a resilient force of a resilient member provided in at least one of a pair of female and male connectors to be mutually fitted together. The connector can be positively locked to the mating connector in a fitted condition, and a cancellation operation can be easily effected.
2. Related Art
Usually, many pieces of electronic equipment are mounted on a vehicle, such as an automobile. Various cables for supplying power to these equipments and for controlling these equipments, as well as female and male connectors for connecting these cables, are extensively used. Such female and male connectors have a waterproof function in view of a possibility that these connectors will be used in a severe environment involving vibrations and submergence. Also, in view of an assembling process and their maintenance, these connectors also have a function by which the connection and disconnection of the cables can be effected easily. There have been proposed various connector fitting structures capable of detecting a mutually-fitted condition of female and male connectors.
One example of such general connector fitting structures will be described with reference to
FIGS. 9
to
12
.
As shown in
FIG. 10
, a male connector (one connector)
60
of the general connector fitting structure
51
includes an inner housing
62
which has terminal receiving chambers and is open to the front side thereof (arrow A shows front side and fitting direction); and an outer housing
61
which has a slider
70
(described later) slidably mounted therein above the inner housing, and forms a hood portion covering the outer periphery of the inner housing
62
.
As shown in
FIG. 10
, a male connector (one connector)
60
of the general connector fitting structure
51
includes an inner housing
62
which has terminal receiving chambers and is open to the front side thereof; and an outer housing
61
which has a slider
70
(described later) slidably mounted therein above the inner housing, and forms a hood portion covering the outer periphery of the inner housing
62
.
A pair of housing locks
68
for respectively retaining engagement projections
93
(see
FIG. 10
) of a mating housing
91
(described later) are formed respectively on upper surfaces of the distal ends of the lock arms
66
. A pressing portion
69
, which is operated when canceling the fitting connection, is provided on the upper surface of the lock arms
66
at a generally central portion thereof.
A pair of retaining arms
67
for temporarily preventing the rearward movement of the slider
70
are provided at a rear portion of the slider receiving portion
63
, and extend rearwardly in the fitting direction, and each of the retaining arms
67
has a retaining projection
67
a
formed at a rear end (free end) thereof.
The slider
70
includes: a first slide member
71
, which is guided by the guide grooves
65
so as to slide within the slider receiving portion
63
; a second slide member
76
engaged with a rear portion of the first slide member
71
; and compression springs (resilient members)
83
held on the second slide member
76
.
The first slide member
71
includes: a pair of stopper arm portions
73
and
73
, which extend rearwardly, are abutted respectively against one ends of the compression springs
83
; and an interconnecting portion
74
interconnecting the stopper arm portions
73
. An abutment portion
75
, against which a pressing rib
92
of a female connector
90
(described later) can abut, is formed at a lower surface of the interconnecting portion
74
. A pair of slide grooves
72
and
72
for allowing the movement of engagement arm portions
78
(described later) of the second slide member
76
are formed in opposite ends of the interconnecting portion
74
.
The second slide member
76
includes retaining portions
77
which extend forwardly. Outer side portions of retaining portion
77
are slidably fitted in the guide grooves
65
, respectively. The distal ends of the retaining portion
77
respectively retain the housing locks
68
which are formed respectively at the distal ends of the lock arms
66
, when the lock arms are displaced. An elastic operating portion
79
which is operated when canceling the fitting connection is formed on a central portion of the upper side of the second slide member
76
. When the slider
70
is inserted into the slider receiving portion
63
, the operating portion
79
covers the pressing portion
69
of the lock arms
66
from above. distal ends of the retaining portion
77
respectively retain the housing locks
68
which are formed respectively at the distal ends of the lock arms
66
, when the lock arms are displaced. An elastic operating portion
79
which is operated when canceling the fitting connection is formed on a central portion of the upper side of the second slide member
76
. When the slider
70
is inserted into the slider receiving portion
63
, the operating portion
79
covers the pressing portion
69
of the lock arms
66
from upward.
The pair of engagement arm portions
78
and
78
, retained respectively by the stopper arm portions
73
of the first slide member
71
, are formed respectively at opposite side walls of the second slide member
76
. Spring receiving chambers
81
for respectively receiving the compression springs
83
are formed respectively in the opposite side portions of the second slide member
76
.
The female connector (the other connector)
90
includes a housing insertion port
94
open to the front side thereof(opposite to arrow A). The pressing rib
92
for abutting against the abutment portion
75
of the first slide member
71
is formed upright on an upper surface of the housing
91
at a central portion thereof. The pair of engagement projections
93
and
93
are formed respectively at opposite side portions of the pressing rib
92
, and these engagement projections
93
and
93
elastically deform the lock arms
66
, respectively, and engage the housing locks
68
, respectively.
Next, the operation for fitting the male and female connectors
60
and
90
of the above connector fitting structure
51
together will be described.
First, the slider
70
is assembled as shown in FIG.
10
. More specifically, for assembling the slider
70
, the pair of compression springs
83
are inserted respectively into the spring receiving chambers
81
in the second slide member
76
, and then the first slide member
71
and the second slide member
76
are combined together, with the stopper arm portions
73
of the first slide member
71
held respectively in the spring receiving chambers
81
.
Then, for mounting the slider
70
on the male connector
60
, the slider
70
is inserted into the slider receiving portion
63
from the front side of the male connector
60
. At this time, the opposite side portions of the stopper arm portions
73
of the first slide member
71
, the opposite end portions of the interconnecting portion
74
and the opposite side portions of the second slide member
76
are fitted in the guide grooves
65
. And the rear end of the second slide member
76
is brought into engagement with the retaining arms
67
, thus completing the mounting of the slider
70
.
Next, the operation for fitting the male and female connectors
60
and
90
of the above general connector fitting structure
51
together will be described with reference to
FIGS. 10
to
12
.
The inner housing
62
of the male connector
60
and the housing insertion port
94
in the female connector
90
are opposed to each other, and in this condition the male and female connectors begin to be fitted together in such a manner that the outer housing
61
of the male connector
60
is fitted on the housing
91
of the female connector
90
, as shown in FIG.
11
. At this time, the pressing rib
92
of the female connector
90
is fitted into an insertion notch
77
a
(see
FIG. 10
) of the second slide member
76
, and the front end of the pressing rib
92
is brought into abutting engagement with the abutment portion
75
of the first slide member
71
.
Then, while pushing the first slide member
71
, the pressing rib
92
of the female connector
90
is inserted into an insertion space
66
a
(see
FIG. 10
) between the lock arms
66
of the male connector
60
, as shown in FIG.
12
. At this time, the engagement projections
93
at the front end of the pressing rib
92
are brought into sliding contact respectively with slanting surfaces of the housing locks
68
which is formed respectively at the distal ends of the lock arms
66
, to displace the distal end portions of the lock arms
66
toward the housing
91
of the female connector
90
(that is, downwardly in the drawings). Therefore, the distal ends of the housing locks
68
are engaged respectively with the retaining portions
77
of the second slide member
76
, so that the second slide member
76
can not slide together with the first slide member
71
.
Then, when the fitting operation further proceeds, the first slide member
71
is pressed by the pressing rib
92
, and therefore is moved rearwardly. At this time, the engagement arm portions
78
(see
FIG. 10
) of the second slide member
76
are moved respectively into the slide grooves
72
(see
FIG. 10
) formed respectively in the opposite side portions of the first slide member
71
. Thus, the first slide member
71
is moved while the second slide member
76
is held against movement, and as a result the compression springs
83
, received in the second slide member
76
, are compressed to produce restoring forces tending to resiliently restore them into their original condition.
If the fitting operation is stopped in a half-fitted condition in which the housing locks
68
of the male connector
60
are not completely engaged with the engagement projections
93
of the female connector
90
, respectively, the first slide member
71
is pushed back in a disengaging direction (opposite to the fitting direction) by the restoring force of the compression springs
83
. As a result, the female connector
90
is pushed back through the pressing rib
92
, abutted against the abutment portion
75
of the first slide member
71
, and therefore the half-fitted condition can be prevented.
Then, when the fitting operation is further continued against the repulsive force of the compression springs
83
, the engagement projections
93
of the female connector
90
slide respectively over the housing locks
68
, formed respectively at the distal ends of the lock arms
66
, so that the lock arms
66
are resiliently restored, as shown in FIG.
13
. As a result, the engagement of the distal end of each housing lock
68
with the associated retaining portion
77
at the distal end of the second slide member
76
is canceled, so that the housing lock
68
is engaged with the rear end of the associated engagement projection
93
. Therefore, the male connector
60
and the female connector
90
are completely fitted together, so that contacts
64
in the male connector are completely electrically contacted respectively with contacts
95
in the female connector.
For canceling the above completely-fitted condition, while holding the operating portion
79
of the second slide member
76
with the finger or other, the second slide member
76
is moved forward against the restoring force of the compression springs
83
into such a position that the operating portion
79
overlies the exposed pressing portion
69
of the lock arms
66
, as shown in FIG.
14
. Then, when the operating portion
79
is pressed down, the pressing portion
69
is pressed downward, so that the lock arms
66
are displaced downward, and therefore the engagement of the housing locks
68
with the respective engagement projections
93
is canceled. At this time, the slide member
71
is pushed back forward by the restoring force of the compressed compression springs
83
.
As a result, the female connector
90
is pushed back in the disengaging direction through the pressing rib
92
of the female connector
90
abutted against the abutment portion
75
of the first slide member
71
. Therefore, the disengaging force, required for disengaging the connectors from each other, can be reduced, and the disengaging operation can be enhanced.
In the above general connector fitting structure
51
, however, when the mounting of the slider
70
is completed, the compression springs
83
produce slight restoring forces. Therefore, when the male connector
60
, having the slider mounted thereon, is transported, the engagement arm portions
78
can be disengaged from the engagement surfaces of the stopper arm portions
73
because of vibrations and so on developing during the transport, and also the rear end surface of the second slide member
76
can be disengaged from the retaining projections
67
a
of the retaining arms
67
.
Therefore, before the fitting operation is effected, the first slide member
71
is withdrawn and dropped, and also the second slide member
76
is moved toward the rear end of the outer housing
61
, so that the retaining portions
77
underlie the housing locks
68
, respectively, which invites a problem that the lock arms
66
can not be flexed during the fitting operation.
In the above general connector fitting structure
51
, however, for canceling the fitted condition, while holding the operating portion
79
of the second slide member
76
with the finger or other, the second slide member
76
must be moved forward against the restoring force of the compression springs
83
into such a position that the operating portion
79
overlies the exposed pressing portion
69
of the lock arms
66
, and then the operating portion
79
must be pressed down, as described above. Therefore, there has been encountered a problem that the operability is poor.
And besides, the operating portion
79
is pressed down while pushing the second slide member
76
with a large force against the restoring force of the compression springs
83
, and therefore there is a possibility that the unduly-large pressing force is applied to this operating portion. In such a case, the lock arms are excessively displaced, which in some times, invites a problem that the lock arms
66
are damaged.
With the above problems in view, it is an object of this invention to provide a connector fitting structure in which a half-fitted condition can be positively detected during a fitting operation of a pair of female and male connectors, and also ensures easy operation the fitting procedure.
The problems to be overcome by the present invention can be solved by the following constructions (1) to (3):
(1) A connector fitting structure including:
A pair of female and male connectors connected together;
one of said connector including an inner housing and an outer housing, said outer housing covering said inner housing, a lock arm provided on the front end of said inner housing;
a slide member movably mounted on said outer housing, said slide member including first and second slide member, and a resilient member, said first slide member slidable with respect to said outer housing in fitting direction, said second slide member engaged with a rear end of said first slide member, said resilient member positioned between said first and second slide members to urge said first and second slide members away from each other;
the other of said connector provided with a pressing rib which abuts against said slide member, and an engagement projection, which flexes said lock arm and engages with said lock arm, provided on said pressing rib;
a first elastically engagement arm provided at said second slide member, engageable with a first engagement portion which is provided at an inner surface of said outer housing;
a second elastically engagement arm provided at said second slide member, engageable with a second engagement portion which is provided at an upper surface of said inner housing;
a slide groove provided at said first slide member; and
wherein said slide groove cancels the engaged condition of said first engagement arm and said first engagement portion, and a distal end of the other connector housing cancels the engaged condition of said second engagement arm and said second engagement portion at a time of said first slide member moving toward said second slide member.
(2) A retaining portion, for preventing a downward displacement of said lock arm, is provided at the front end of said second slide member.
(3) an auxiliary retaining surface provided at said first slide member;
an auxiliary retaining arm shaped flat plate and provided at said second slide arm; and
wherein said auxiliary retaining arm is retained by an auxiliary retaining surface.
In the connector fitting structure of the above construction, the second slide member includes the first engagement arms of an elastic nature, which can be engaged respectively with the first engagement portions formed on the inner surface of the outer housing of the one connector. Therefore, the housing of the other connector is fitted in the one connector, and the engagement projections of the other connector depress the housing locks, respectively, and thereafter unless the distal end portions of the first engagement arms are caused to escape into the slide groove, the first engagement arms will not be disengaged from the first engagement portions, respectively.
Therefore, before the housing locks are pressed down, the second slide member will not be accidentally moved rearward by vibrations and so on, and therefore there will not be encountered a situation in which the fitting operation of the female and male connectors can not be effected, and therefore the reliability of the female and male connectors can be enhanced.
The second slide member also includes the second engagement arm of an elastic nature which can be engaged with the second engagement portion formed on the outer housing of the one connector. Therefore, until the second engagement arm is disengaged from the second engagement portion by the front end of the housing of the other connector, that is, until the time immediately before the housing locks are engaged respectively with the engagement projections of the other connector, the engaged condition of the second slide member will not be canceled.
Therefore, the resilient force of the resilient member is kept strong until the time immediately before the completely-fitted condition is achieved, and therefore if the fitting force is weakened in a half-fitted condition, the other connector can be positively disengaged from the one connector with a large force, and therefore the reliability of the male and female connectors can be further enhanced.
The second slide member has the retaining portions which are formed at the front end thereof, and can prevent the downward displacement of the housing locks, and the slanting surface, which is slanting downwardly rearwardly, is formed on the rear end surface of each of the retaining portions. Therefore, each housing lock smoothly slides upwardly on the rear end surface of the retaining portion with the large resilient force of the resilient member, and is brought into engagement with the engagement projection of the other connector.
Therefore, the completely-fitted condition can be positively achieved with the relatively small fitting force, and therefore the reliability of the female and male connectors can be further enhanced.
The second slide member includes the flat plate-like auxiliary retaining arms which can be retained respectively by the auxiliary retaining surfaces of the first slide member. Therefore, the second slide member can be engaged with the first slide member in a stable manner, and will not be disengaged from the first slide member by vibrations and so on, and the reliability of the slider can be enhanced.
With the above problems in view, it is an object of this invention to provide a connector fitting structure in which a half-fitted condition can be positively detected during a fitting operation of a pair of female and male connectors, and besides a fitting connection-canceling operation is easy.
The problems to be overcome by the present invention can be solved by a connector fitting structure described in the following Paragraphs (4) and (5):
(4) A connector fitting structure comprising:
a pair of female and male connectors connected together;
one of said connector including an inner housing and an outer housing, said outer housing covering said inner housing, a lock arm provided on the front end of said inner housing;
a slide member movably mounted on said outer housing, said slide member including first and second slide members, and a resilient member, said first slide member slidable with respect to said outer housing in fitting direction, said second slide member engaged with the rear end of said first slide member, said resilient member positioned between said first and second slide members to urge said first and second slide members away from each other; member engaged with the rear end of said first slide member, said resilient member positioned between said first and second slide members to urge said first and second slide members away from each other;
the other of said connector provided with a pressing rib which abuts against said slide member, and an engagement projection, which flexes said lock arm and engages with said lock arm, provided on said pressing rib; and
a disengagement prevention portion provided at upper portion of said second slide member, for canceling an engagement with said lock arm and said engagement projection;
wherein said engagement is canceled by which said lock arm is deformed downwardly by abutting against said disengagement prevention portion.
(5) In the connector fitting structure, preferably, an engagement arm provided at said second slide member, and engageable with an engagement portion which is provided at the inner surface of said outer housing; and
a slide groove provided at said first slide member;
wherein said engagement arm is accommodated in said slide groove by moving said second slide member forward at the time of canceling said engagement.
In the connector fitting structure of the above construction, the second slide member includes the first engagement arms of an elastic nature, which can be engaged respectively with the first engagement portions formed on the inner surface of the outer housing of the one connector. Therefore, the housing of the other connector is fitted in the one connector, and the engagement projections of the other connector depress the housing locks, respectively, and thereafter unless the distal end portions of the first engagement arms are caused to escape into the slide groove, the first engagement arms will not be disengaged from the first engagement portions, respectively.
The cancellation projection is formed on the lower surface of the front end of the disengagement prevention portion (of the second slide member) which is operated when canceling the fitting connection. Therefore, when canceling the fitted condition of the female and male connectors, it is only necessary to push the second slide member forward directly or through the disengagement prevention portion, and therefore the operation, required for canceling the fitted condition, is easy, and the efficiency of the operation can be enhanced.
And besides, the amount of flexing of the lock arms is determined by the vertical dimensions of the cancellation projection and pressing portion, and therefore the lock arms will not be excessively displaced, and hence will not be damaged, and the durability of the female and male connector can be enhanced.
The second slide member has the first engagement arms engageable respectively with the first engagement portions formed on the inner surface of the outer housing, and when the second slide member is moved forward for canceling the fitting connection, the first engagement arms are caused to escape into the slide groove formed in the first slide member. Therefore, the engagement of the housing locks of the lock arms with the respective engagement projections of the other connector can be canceled with a relatively-small pushing force. Therefore, the efficiency of the operation, required for canceling the fitted condition of the female and male connectors, can be further enhanced.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a vertical cross-sectional view showing one preferred embodiment of a connector fitting structure of the invention.
FIG. 2
is an disassembled, perspective view of a slider in FIG.
1
.
FIG. 3
is a perspective view showing important portions of female and male connectors in FIG.
1
.
FIG. 4
is a view explanatory of an operation, showing a condition in which a fitting operation in
FIG. 1
is started.
FIG. 5
is a view explanatory of the operation, showing the process of the fitting operation in FIG.
1
.
FIG. 6
is a view explanatory of the operation, showing a condition in which the fitting operation in
FIG. 1
is further continued.
FIG. 7
is a view explanatory of the operation, showing a condition in which the fitting operation in
FIG. 1
is finished.
FIG. 8
is a view explanatory of the operation at the time of canceling a fitted condition.
FIGS.
9
(
a
) and
9
(
b
) are views showing a slanting surface of a retaining portion in FIG.
1
.
FIG. 10
is an exploded, perspective view showing one example of a general connector fitting structure.
FIG. 11
is a view explanatory of an operation, showing a condition in which a fitting operation in
FIG. 10
is started.
FIG. 12
is a view explanatory of the operation, showing the process of the fitting operation in FIG.
10
.
FIG. 13
is a view explanatory of the operation, showing a condition in which the fitting operation in
FIG. 10
is finished.
FIG. 14
is a view explanatory of the operation at the time of canceling a fitted condition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A preferred embodiment of a connector fitting structure of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to
FIGS. 1
to
9
.
FIG. 1
is a vertical cross-sectional view showing one preferred embodiment of the connector fitting structure of the invention;
FIG. 2
is an exploded, perspective view of a slider in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
is a perspective view showing female and male connector housings in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 4
is a view explanatory of an operation, showing a condition in which a fitting operation in
FIG. 1
is started;
FIG. 5
is a view explanatory of the operation, showing the process of the fitting operation in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 6
is a view explanatory of the operation, showing a condition in which the fitting operation in
FIG. 1
is further continued;
FIG. 7
is a view explanatory of the operation, showing a condition in which the fitting operation in
FIG. 1
is finished;
FIG. 8
is a view explanatory of the operation at the time of canceling a fitted condition in
FIG. 1
; and
FIG. 9
is a view showing a slanting surface of a retaining portion in FIG.
1
.
As shown in
FIGS. 1
to
3
, The connector fitting structure
1
includes a pair of female and male connectors to be fittingly connected together. The male connector (one connector)
10
includes: an inner housing
12
, which has socket contacts
14
fitted therein, and is open to the front side thereof; and an outer housing
11
of a hood-like shape which has the slider
20
slidably mounted therein above the inner housing
12
, and covers the inner housing
12
.
Elastic lock arms
16
are provided on an upper surface of the inner housing
12
, and extend in a fitting direction of arrow F. The elastic lock arms
16
have hook-like housing locks
18
formed respectively at front ends thereof. A pressing portion
19
, which is operated when canceling the fitting connection, is provided on an upper surface of the lock arms
16
at a generally central portion thereof.
More specifically, a slider receiving portion
13
is formed between the upper surface of the inner housing
12
and an inner surface of an upper wall of the outer housing
11
. Guide grooves
15
for respectively guiding opposite side portions of the slider
20
are formed respectively in inner surfaces of opposite side walls of the outer housing
11
.
A side space
13
a
for receiving the slider
20
is formed between each of the lock arms
16
and the inner surface of each of the opposite side walls of the outer housing
11
. An insertion space
16
a
is formed between the lock arms
16
and between the housing locks
18
. A seal member
12
a
(see
FIG. 4
) is fitted on the outer periphery of the inner housing
12
.
First engagement portions
46
for being engaged respectively with first engagement arms
28
(described later) are formed on the inner surface of the upper wall of the outer housing
11
, and a second engagement portion
48
for engagement with a second engagement arm
47
(described later) is formed on the outer housing
11
.
The slider
20
includes: a first slide member
21
, which is slidable within the outer housing
11
in the axial direction; a second slide member
26
, engaged with a rear portion of the first slide member
21
; and compression springs (serving as resilient members)
33
which are held in the second slide member
26
, and resiliently urge the first and second slide members
21
and
26
away from each other.
The first slide member
21
includes: a pair of stopper arm portions
23
and
23
, which extend rearwardly, and are abutted respectively against one ends of the compression springs
33
; and an interconnecting portion
24
interconnecting the stopper arm portions
23
at front ends thereof. An abutment portion
25
, against which a pressing rib
42
(described later) of the female connector
40
can abut, is formed at a lower surface of the interconnecting portion
24
at a front end portion thereof. Auxiliary retaining surfaces
23
a
for respectively retaining auxiliary retaining arms
49
(described later) are formed on upper surfaces of the stopper arm portions
23
, respectively.
A slide groove
22
is formed in the rear end of the interconnecting portion
24
, and this slide groove
22
allows the distal ends of the first engagement arms
28
(described later) to escape thereinto when the first and second slide members
21
and
26
are moved toward each other during the fitting operation of the female and male connectors.
Retaining portions
27
for preventing the downward displacement of the housing locks
18
are formed at the front end portion of the second slide member
26
. A disengagement prevention portion
29
, which is operated when canceling the fitting connection, is formed on the upper surface of the second slide member
26
at a central portion thereof. When the slider
20
is mounted in the outer housing
11
, the second slide member
26
covers the pressing portion
19
. A notch
27
a
is formed between the pair of retaining portions
27
and
27
so that the pressing rib
42
(described later) of the female connector
40
will not interfere with the second slide member when fitting the male and female connectors
10
and
40
together.
A cancellation projection
50
is formed on a lower surface of the disengagement prevention portion
29
at a front end thereof, and when the second slide member
26
is moved forward during the cancellation of the fitting connection, this cancellation projection
50
is abutted against the pressing portion
19
of the lock arms
16
to flex the lock arms
16
downwardly so as to cancel the engaged condition of the housing locks
18
.
The second slide member
26
has the pair of flat plate-like, elastic auxiliary retaining arms
49
each having an auxiliary retaining projection
49
a
formed on a lower surface thereof at a front end thereof. These projections
49
a
can be retained by the auxiliary retaining surfaces
23
a
of the first slide member
21
, respectively. A slanting surface
30
, which is slanting downwardly rearwardly and has an inclination angle β, is formed on a rear surface of each of the retaining portions
27
(see FIG.
9
).
The second slide member
26
further includes the pair of first engagement arms
28
of an elastic nature, and the second engagement arm
47
of an elastic nature. Each of the first engagement arms
28
has at its front end a first retaining projections
28
a
of a hook-like shape for engagement with the associated first engagement portion
46
formed on the inner surface of the upper wall of the outer housing
11
. The second engagement arm
47
has at its front end a second retaining projection
47
a
of a hook-like shape for engagement with the second engagement portion
48
formed on the outer housing
11
.
Pin contacts
45
project into the fitting direction of opposite to arrow F, from the interior of the housing
41
of the female connector (the other connector)
40
. The pressing rib
42
for abutment against the abutment portion
25
of the first slide member
21
is formed on an upper wall of the housing
41
at a widthwise central portion thereof, and extends in the fitting direction. A pair of engagement projections
43
are formed respectively at opposite side portions of the pressing rib
42
at a front end of thee female connecctor, and these engagement projections
43
elastically deform the lock arms
16
, respectively, and engage the housing locks
18
, respectively.
Next, the fitting operation of the connector fitting structure
1
of the above construction will be described. First, as shown in
FIG. 2
, the compression springs
33
are set at the opposite side portions of the second slide member
26
, respectively, and then when the stopper arm portions
23
of the first slide member
21
are pressed against the compression springs, respectively, so that the auxiliary retaining projections
49
a
of the auxiliary retaining arms
49
are retained by the auxiliary retaining surfaces
23
a,
respectively, thus completing the assembling of the slider
20
.
Then, as shown in
FIG. 3
, the slider
20
is inserted into the slider receiving portion
13
along the guide grooves
15
in the outer housing
11
until the front end surface of the interconnecting portion
24
of the slider
20
becomes flush with the front end of the outer housing. As a result, the first retaining projections
28
a
of the first engagement arms
28
of the second slide member
26
are retained by the first engagement portions
46
of the outer housing
11
, respectively, and also the second retaining projection
47
a
of the second engagement arm
47
is retained by the second engagement portion
48
, as shown in FIG.
1
.
Therefore, the second slide member
26
is retained relative to the outer housing
11
of the male connector
10
at three portions (that is, the pair of first engagement arms
28
and the second engagement arm
47
), and therefore the first and second engagement arms
28
and
47
will not be disengaged from the first and second engagement portions
46
and
48
of the outer housing
11
, respectively, and therefore the slider will not be moved rearward.
Then, when the housing
41
of the female connector
40
is inserted into the male connector
10
while the inner peripheral surface of the housing
41
is guided by the outer periphery of the inner housing
12
of the male connector
10
, the front end of the pressing rib
42
abuts against the abutment portion
25
of the first slide member
21
, and also the retaining portions
27
of the second slide member
26
are brought into sliding contact with the upper surface of the housing
41
, as shown in FIG.
4
.
Then, when the fitting operation further proceeds as shown in
FIG. 5
, only the first slide member
21
is pushed by the pressing rib
42
of the female connector
40
against the repulsive force of the compression springs
33
, with the second slide member
26
held in its position. Therefore, the first slide member
21
, while compressing the compression springs
33
, is moved toward the rear end of the slider receiving portion
13
. As a result, the engagement projections
43
depress the housing locks
18
, respectively, so that the lock arms
16
are flexed downwardly.
Then, when the fitting operation further proceeds as shown in
FIG. 6
, the first engagement arms
28
are disengaged from the first engagement portions
46
, respectively, and the first engagement arm
28
are introduced into the slide groove
22
in an escaping manner, and also the second engagement arm
47
is pressed by the front end of the housing
41
of the female connector
40
to be disengaged from the second engagement portion
48
. Under the influence of the compression springs
33
, the slanting surfaces
30
of the retaining portions
27
press the front ends of the housing locks
18
rearwardly, respectively.
At this stage, if the fitting force, applied to the female connector
40
, is released, the female connector
40
is pushed back in a disengaging direction through the abutment portion
25
and the pressing rib
42
since the first slide member
21
is urged forward by the resilient forces of the compression springs
33
. And besides, when the connector-fitting operation is not yet completed, the pressing portion
19
on the lock arms
16
is generally covered by the disengagement prevention portion
29
of the second slide member
26
. Therefore, such an incompletely-fitted condition can also be detected with the eyes.
Then, when the female connector
40
is further pushed in the fitting direction as shown in
FIG. 7
, the downwardly-flexed lock arms
16
are restored into their original position, so that the housing locks
18
are engaged with the engagement projections
43
, respectively. As a result, the retaining portions
27
are disengaged from the housing locks
18
, respectively, therefore, the second slide member
26
is moved toward the rear end of the male connector
10
by the resilient forces of the compression springs
33
. At this time, the retaining portions
27
are moved to be disposed under the housing locks
18
, respectively, so that the housing locks
18
are kept engaged respectively with the engagement projections
43
in a locked manner, thus preventing the flexing of the lock arms.
Therefore, the male and female connectors
10
and
40
are held in a completely-fitted condition, and this fitted condition will not be canceled by vibrations and so on. The disengagement prevention portion
29
of the second slide member
26
is spaced rearwardly from the pressing portion
19
on the lock arms
16
, and therefore the completely-fitted condition can be detected with the eyes. Also, the completely-fitted condition can be detected through the sense of touch when the resilient forces of the compression springs
33
are abruptly reduced.
Next, the fitting connection-canceling operation of the connector fitting structure
1
of the above construction will be described.
In the completely-fitted condition of the male and female connectors
10
and
40
, when the disengagement prevention portion
29
of the second slide member
26
is pushed forward with the finger or other against the repulsive force of the compression springs
33
, the first engagement arms
28
abut against the first engagement portions
46
, respectively, to be pressed down, and therefore, escape into the slide groove
22
in the first slide member
21
, as shown in FIG.
8
. At this time, the cancellation projection
50
, formed on the lower surface of the disengagement prevention portion
29
at the front end thereof, abuts against the pressing portion
19
on the lock arms
16
. Then, when the second slide member
26
is further pushed forward, the retaining portions
27
of the second slide member
26
are moved forward beyond the housing locks
18
, respectively, thus canceling the locked condition, so that the lock arms
16
are flexed downwardly. As a result of this flexing, the engagement of each housing lock
18
with the associated engagement projection
43
is canceled, and the male connector
10
and the female connector
40
are moved from each other by the resilient force of the compression springs
33
.
If the rear end surface of each retaining portion
27
is vertical, or is slanting downwardly forwardly at an inclination angle α° as shown in
FIG. 9A
, the downwardly-flexed lock arm
16
can not be restored by its own restoring force, and hence can not be brought into engagement with the engagement projection
43
since the rear end surface presses the front end of the housing lock
18
by the resilient force of the compression spring
33
.
When the slanting surface
30
, which is slanting downwardly rearwardly at an inclination angle β° as shown in
FIG. 9B
, is formed at the rear end surface of each retaining portion
27
, the downwardly-flexed lock arm
16
is restored upwardly along this slanting surface
30
, and is engaged with the engagement projection
43
, and therefore the fitting operation can be carried out with a low fitting force.
As described above, in the connector fitting structure of this embodiment, there are provided the first engagement arms
28
, for engagement respectively with the first engagement portions
46
formed on the inner surface of the outer housing
1
of the male connector
10
, and the first engagement arm
28
have the first retaining projections
28
a
formed respectively at the front ends thereof. With this construction, the housing
41
of the female connector
40
is fitted into the male connector
10
, and the engagement projections
43
depress the housing locks
18
, respectively, and thereafter unless the first engagement arms
28
are caused to escape into the slide groove
22
, the first engagement arms
28
will not be disengaged from the first engagement portions
46
, respectively.
Therefore, before the housing locks
18
are pressed down, the second slide member
26
will not be brought out of retaining engagement with the outer housing
11
by vibrations and so on, and hence the second slide member
26
will not be moved toward the rear end of the housing, and therefore the operation for mutually fitting the male and female connectors
10
and
40
together can be positively carried out, and the reliability of the male and female connectors
10
and
40
can be enhanced.
As described above, in the connector fitting structure of this embodiment, the housing
41
of the female connector
40
is fitted into the male connector
10
, and the engagement projections
43
depress the housing locks
18
, respectively; Then the first engagement arms
28
are caused to escape into the slide groove
22
, and therefore the first engagement arms
28
are disengaged from the first engagement portions
46
, respectively.
At this time, the second engagement arm
47
is pressed by the front end of the housing
41
of the female connector
40
to be disengaged from the second engagement portion
48
, and therefore the downwardly-flexed lock arms
16
are restored into their original position, so that the housing locks
18
are engaged respectively with the engagement projections
43
, thus achieving the completely-fitted condition.
For canceling the fitted condition of the male and female connectors
10
and
40
, the disengagement prevention portion
29
of the second slide member
26
is pushed forward, so that the first engagement arms
28
are caused to escape into the slide groove
22
in the first slide member
21
, and also the cancellation projection
50
abuts against the pressing portion
19
. Then, when the second slide member
26
is further pushed forward, the lock arms
16
are flexed downwardly, so that the engagement of each housing lock
18
with the associated engagement projection
43
is canceled. Therefore the male connector
10
and the female connector
40
are easily moved away from each other by the resilient force of the compression springs
33
.
Therefore, when canceling the fitted condition, it is only necessary to push the second slide member forward with a relatively-small pushing force, and therefore the canceling operation is easy, and the efficiency of the operation can be enhanced, and besides the lock arms will not be excessively displaced, and hence will not be damaged, thus enhancing the durability of the female and male connectors.
The second slide member
26
includes the second engagement arm
47
having the second retaining projection
47
a
formed at the front end thereof, and the second engagement portion
48
is formed on the inner housing
11
of the male connector
10
. Therefore, until the second engagement arm
47
is disengaged from the second engagement portion
48
by the front end of the housing
41
of the female connector
40
, that is, until the time immediately before the housing locks
18
are engaged respectively with the engagement projections
43
of the female connector
40
, the second slide member
26
will not be disengaged from the outer housing
11
by vibrations and so on, and hence the second slide member
26
will not move toward the rear end of the housing.
Therefore, the compression springs
33
are kept compressed until the time immediately before the completely-fitted condition is achieved, and therefore the resilient force of these compression springs are kept strong, and if the fitting force is weakened in a half-fitted condition, the female connector
40
can be positively pushed back in the disengaging direction, and therefore the reliability of the male and female connectors
10
and
40
can be further enhanced.
And besides, the slanting surface
30
, which is slanting downwardly rearwardly at an inclination angle β°, is formed at the rear end surface of each of the retaining portions
27
of the second slide member
26
, and therefore immediately before the male and female connectors
10
and
40
are completely fitted together, each housing lock
18
is returned to smoothly slide upwardly over the slanting surface
30
, with the resilient force of the compression springs
33
acting on the housing lock
18
, and is engaged with the engagement projection
43
of the female connector
40
. Therefore, the male and female connectors
10
and
40
can be positively completely fitted together, and therefore the reliability of the female and male connectors
10
and
40
can be further enhanced.
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be applied to various embodiments. For example, in this embodiment, although the slider
20
is received in the male connector
10
, the slider can be received in the female connector
40
.
Although there are provided the pair of lock arms
16
and the pair of first engagement arms
28
, there may be provided one lock arm and one first engagement arm. The number of the second engagement arm
47
is not limited to one, but a pair of second engagement arms may be provided.
As described above, in the connector fitting structure of the above construction, the second slide member includes the elastic first engagement arms, which can be engaged respectively with the first engagement portions formed on the inner surface of the outer housing of the one connector, and the elastic second engagement arm which can be engaged with the second engagement portion formed on the outer housing. The first slide member has the slide groove which cancels the engaged condition of the first engagement arms, and also allows the first engagement arms to escape into the slide groove when the first and second slide members move toward each other against the resilient force of the resilient members during the fitting operation of the female and male connectors. The engaged condition of the second engagement arm of the second slide member is canceled by the front end of the housing of the other connector.
Therefore, the housing of the other connector is fitted in the one connector, and thereafter unless the first engagement arms are caused to escape into the slide groove, the first engagement arms will not be disengaged from the first engagement portions, respectively. Therefore, there will not be encountered a situation in which the fitting operation of the female and male connectors can not be effected, and therefore the reliability of the female and male connectors can be enhanced.
Until the second engagement arm is disengaged from the second engagement portion by the front end of the housing of the other connector, that is, until the time immediately before the housing locks are engaged respectively with the engagement projections of the other connector, the second slide member will not be disengaged from the outer housing by vibrations and so on, and hence the second slide member will not move toward the rear end of the housing.
Therefore, if the fitting force is weakened in a half-fitted condition before the completely-fitted condition is achieved, the female and male connectors can be positively pushed back away from each other by the resilient force of the resilient members. Therefore, the reliability of the male and female connectors can be further enhanced.
In the above connector fitting structure, preferably, the second slide member has the retaining portions which are formed at the front end thereof, and can prevent the downward displacement of the housing locks, and the slanting surface, which is slanting downwardly rearwardly, is formed on the rear end surface of each of the retaining portions. With this construction, immediately before the male and female connectors are completely fitted together, each housing lock is returned to smoothly slide upwardly over the slanting surface on the rear end surface of the retaining portion, and is engaged with the other connector. Therefore, the fitting operation of the male and female connectors can be carried out with the low insertion force, and also the female and male connectors can be positively completely fitted together, and therefore the reliability of the female and male connectors can be further enhanced.
In the above connector fitting structure, preferably, the second slide member includes the flat plate-like auxiliary retaining arms which can be retained respectively by the auxiliary retaining surfaces of the first slide member. With this construction, the second slide member can be engaged with the first slide member in a stable manner, and is positively prevented from being disengaged from the first slide member by vibrations and so on, and the reliability of the slider can be enhanced.
As described above, in the connector fitting structure of the invention, the cancellation projection is formed on the lower surface of the front end of the disengagement prevention portion which is operated when canceling the fitting connection, and when the second slide member is moved forward for canceling the fitting connection, the cancellation projection is abutted against the pressing portion on the lock arms to flex the lock arms, thereby canceling the engagement of the housing locks of the one connector with the respective engagement projections of the other connector.
Therefore, when canceling the fitted condition of the female and male connectors, it is only necessary to push the second slide member forward, and therefore the operation, required for canceling the fitted condition, is easy, and the efficiency of the operation can be enhanced.
And besides, the amount of flexing of the lock arms is determined by the vertical dimensions of the cancellation projection and pressing portion, and therefore the lock arms will not be excessively displaced, and hence will not be damaged, and the reliability and durability of the female and male connector can be enhanced.
In the connector fitting structure, preferably, the second slide member has the first engagement arms engageable respectively with the first engagement portions formed on the inner surface of the outer housing, and when the second slide member is moved forward for canceling the fitting connection, the first engagement arms are caused to escape into the slide groove formed in the first slide member.
Therefore, the engagement of the housing locks of the lock arms with the respective engagement projections of the other connector can be canceled with a relatively-small pushing force.
Therefore, the efficiency of the operation, required for canceling the fitted condition of the female and male connectors, can be further enhanced.
Claims
- 1. A connector fitting structure comprising:a pair of female and male connectors to be connected together; one of said connector including an inner housing and an outer housing, said outer housing covering said inner housing, a lock arm provided on the front end of said inner housing; a slide member movably mounted on said outer housing, said slide member including first and second slide members, and a resilient member, said first slide member slidable with respect to said outer housing in fitting direction, said second slide member engaged with a rear end of said first slide member, said resilient member positioned between said first and second slide members to urge said first and second slide members away from each other; the other of said connector provided with a pressing rib which abuts against said slide member, an engagement projection, which flexes said lock arm and engages with said lock arm, provided on said pressing rib; a first elastically engagement arm provided at said second slide member, engageable with a first engagement portion which is provided at an inner surface of said outer housing; a slide groove provided at said first slide member; and wherein said slide groove cancels the engaged condition of said first engagement arm and said first engagement portion at when said first slide member is moved toward said second slide member.
- 2. A connector fitting structure according to claim 1, wherein an opening of said slide groove faces to said second slide member.
- 3. A connector fitting structure according to claim 1 further comprising, a second elastically engagement arm provided at said second slide member, engageable with a second engagement portion which is provided at an upper surface of said inner housing.
- 4. A connector fitting structure according to claim 3, wherein a distal end of the other connector housing cancels the engaged condition of said second engagement arm and said second engagement portion at a time of said first slide member moving toward said second slide member.
- 5. A connector fitting structure according to claim 1, wherein a retaining portion, for preventing a downward displacement of said lock arm, is provided at the front end of said second slide member.
- 6. A connector fitting structure according to claim 5, wherein a slanting surface is formed at a rear end of said retaining portion.
- 7. A connector fitting structure according to claim 1 further comprising:an auxiliary retaining surface provided at said first slide member; an auxiliary retaining arm provided at said second slide arm; and wherein said auxiliary retaining arm is retained by an auxiliary retaining surface.
- 8. A connector fitting structure according to claim 7, wherein said auxiliary retaining arm formed in flat plate.
- 9. A connector housing structure comprising:a pair of connector housings each having an engagement portion adapted to be engaged with each other for connection between housings; and a slider for inhibiting one of said engagement portions from being disengaged from the other of said engagement portions, said slider having a first slide member, a second slide member movable toward and away from said first slide member, and an engagement arm engaged with one of said housings, wherein said engagement arm has a retaining projection for being retained by an engagement surface formed on said one of said housings, and wherein a relative movement between said first and second slide members in association with said connection between said housings disengages said engagement arm from said one of said housings.
- 10. A connector fitting structure according to claim 9 further comprising:a resilient member provided between said first and second slide members to urge said first and second slide members away from each other.
- 11. A connector fitting structure according to claim 9, wherein said engagement portion of one of said housings forms a lock arm, and said engagement portion of the other housing forms an engagement projection for engaging with said lock arm.
- 12. A connector fitting structure comprising:a pair of female and male connectors adapted to be connected together; one of said connectors including an inner housing and an outer housing, said outer housing covering said inner housing, a lock arm provided on a front end of said inner housing; a slide member movably mounted on said outer housing, said slide member including first and second slide members, and a resilient member, said first slide member slidable with respect to said outer housing in a fitting direction, said second slide member engaged with a rear end of said first slide member, said resilient member positioned between said first and second slide members to urge said first and second slide members away from each other; the other of said connectors provided with a pressing rib which abuts against said slide member, and an engagement projection, which flexes said lock arm and engages with said lock arm, provided on said pressing rib; and a disengagement prevention portion provided at an upper portion of said second slide member, for canceling an engagement with said lock arm and said engagement projection; wherein said engagement is canceled by which said lock arm is deformed downwardly by abutting against said disengagement prevention portion when said second slide member is slid toward said fitting direction.
- 13. A connector fitting structure according to claim 12, wherein the abutting position of said disengagement prevention portion is defined by a canceling projection projecting from a front end of a lower surface of said disengagement prevention portion.
- 14. A connector fitting structure according to claim 12, wherein the abutting position of said lock arm is defined by a pressing portion projecting from said upper portion of said lock arm.
- 15. A connector fitting structure according to claim 12, further comprising:an engagement arm provided at said second slide member, and engageable with an engagement portion which is provided at the inner surface of said outer housing; and a slide groove provided at said first slide member; wherein said engagement arm is accommodated in said slide groove by moving said second slide member forward at the time of canceling said engagement.
- 16. A connector fitting structure according to claim 15, wherein an opening of said slide groove faces said second slide member.
Priority Claims (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
11-122610 |
Apr 1999 |
JP |
|
11-127398 |
May 1999 |
JP |
|
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Date |
Kind |
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Schroeder |
Nov 1987 |
A |
5030127 |
Blasko et al. |
Jul 1991 |
A |
5425650 |
Maeda |
Jun 1995 |
A |
6095843 |
Kaneko et al. |
Aug 2000 |
A |
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Number |
Date |
Country |
0 896 396 |
Feb 1999 |
EP |