JP2000040556A - Connector for equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To evade interference of a rib with other member and enlargement of a size, in a connector provided with the rib and a groove as an incorrect fitting prevention means. SOLUTION: Since a tip face 15A of a rib 15 is positioned more deeply than an opening end of a fitting recess 12, other member is difficult to interfere with the rib 15. Because the face 15A of the rib 15 is located more deeply than a tip face 21A of a fitting side connector housing 21 until correction of positional shift is finished by guide faces 14, 26 out of a condition where both connector housings 11, 21 are positionally shifted, the rib 15 does not interfere with an opening end edge of a groove 25. A space for an interference evading means such as formation of a tapered guide face in the groove 25 and enlargement of the width of the groove 25 is not required thereby in the face 21A of the housing 21 to evade size-up of a connector.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

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

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an example of a connector for equipment, Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No.
There is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 9-20578. As shown in FIG. 7, a receiving side connector housing b having a fitting concave portion c is formed on one device a (upper side in FIG. 7), and a fitting side connector attached to the other device d is formed here. The housing e is fitted. The fitting-side connector housing e is penetrated through the mounting hole f of the device d so as to be able to move in the direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 7) along the surface facing the receiving-side connector housing b, and the elastic contact piece g. Urged toward a predetermined fitting position in the mounting hole f. Further, the fitting recess c of the receiving side connector housing b
The inner peripheral edge of the opening and the outer peripheral edge of the distal end of the fitting-side connector housing e are formed with tapered guide surfaces h and i, respectively. Even if both connector housings b and e are misaligned due to dimensional tolerances and assembly tolerances of both devices a and d,
The engagement between the guide surfaces h and i causes the fitting-side connector housing e to be displaced against the bias, thereby correcting the displacement between the connector housings b and e, and finally bringing the connector housings b and e into a proper fitted state. Reach.

As a means for preventing erroneous fitting of a connector in which the receiving side connector housing b has the fitting concave portion c, a rib j along the fitting direction is provided on the inner peripheral wall of the fitting concave portion c. In addition, a structure in which a groove k is provided on the outer periphery of the fitting-side connector housing e can be considered. According to the erroneous fitting prevention means, both connector housings b and e are provided.
Are facing each other in the normal posture, the smooth fitting is performed while the rib j and the groove k are being fitted. However, the ribs j and the grooves k face each other in the normal posture such as when one of the connector housings is turned around the axis. If not, since the tip of the rib j abuts on the tip of the fitting-side connector housing e, the fitting is restricted.

[0004]

In the erroneous fitting prevention means using the rib j and the groove k as described above, the rib j is formed by the fitting recess c.
Is provided so as to reach the opening edge from the back, that is, the tip of the rib j is flush with the opening end surface of the fitting concave portion c. j, and as a result, the rib j and other members may be damaged. In addition, the rib j of the receiving side connector housing b reaches the opening surface of the fitting recess c,
In addition, the following problem arises due to the structure in which the fitting-side connector housing e is provided with the tapered guide surface i for correcting displacement. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, it is necessary to prevent the distal end surface of the fitting-side connector housing e from abutting on the rib j when the displacement between the connector housings b and e is the maximum amount. As a means,
It is necessary to provide a tapered guide surface m also at the leading edge of the groove k, or to increase the width of the groove k. Then, an extra area for forming the guide surface m or expanding the groove k must be secured on the distal end surface n of the fitting-side connector housing e. As a result, the fitting-side connector housing e Therefore, the size of the device connector is increased, and as a result, the size of the entire device connector is increased. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to avoid interference of another member with a rib in a case where a rib and a groove are provided as erroneous fitting prevention means. In addition, it is another object of the present invention to avoid an increase in the size of the connector.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a receiving connector housing having a fitting recess provided in one of two devices to be assembled and the other device provided in the other device. A fitting-side connector housing fitted into the fitting recess; and an inner peripheral surface of the fitting concave portion and an outer peripheral surface of the fitting-side connector housing have ribs and grooves extending in a fitting direction, respectively. When the two connector housings are opposed to each other in a regular posture, the two connector housings are fitted while the ribs and the grooves are fitted together, and the two connector housings are not opposed in the regular posture. When the fitting is attempted in this state, the fitting of the two connector housings is restricted by the fitting-side connector housing abutting against the rib. A data, the tip of the rib has a structure which is disposed deeper than the opening end of the fitting recess.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a receiving-side connector housing provided in one of the two devices to be assembled and having a fitting recess, and fitted in the fitting recess provided in the other device. And at least one of the receiving-side connector housing and the fitting-side connector housing has a relative displacement in a plane direction perpendicular to a fitting direction of the two connector housings with respect to the device. The fitting side connector housing is urged toward a predetermined fitting position, and a tapered guide surface is formed on the outer periphery of the distal end of the fitting side connector housing. Are displaced in the plane direction orthogonal to the fitting direction, the guide surface is moved forward with the progress of the fitting of the two connector housings. By engaging with the opening edge of the fitting concave portion, the positional deviation between the two connector housings is corrected, and further, the inner peripheral surface of the fitting concave portion and the outer peripheral surface of the fitting side connector housing are formed. Is formed with a rib and a groove extending in the fitting direction, respectively, and when the two connector housings face each other in a normal posture, the two connector housings are fitted while the rib and the groove are fitted. When the two connector housings are engaged with each other in a state where they do not face each other in a proper posture, the fitting of the two connector housings is restricted by the abutment of the fitting side connector housing against the rib. Wherein the tip of the rib is located at a position deeper than the opening end of the fitting recess, and the fitting of the two connector housings proceeds. That it was configured to fit between the ribs and the grooves or later when correction of positional deviation by said guide surface is completed is positioned so as to be started in the process.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the device connector according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, a male tab projects from the fitting recess. The ribs are configured to be located at the same depth position or deeper than the tip of the rib.

[0008]

Since the tip of the rib is located deeper than the opening end of the fitting recess, the tip of the rib is flush with the opening end face of the fitting recess. The other members are less likely to interfere with the ribs as compared with the case in which the ribs are provided.

[Invention of claim 2] During a period from a state in which both connector housings are displaced to a state in which the correction of the displacement by the guide surface is completed, the tip of the rib is larger than the tip of the fitting-side connector housing. Since it is located at the back, there is no possibility that the tip of the rib will interfere with the opening edge of the groove.
Therefore, on the tip end surface of the fitting side connector housing,
There is no need to provide a means for avoiding interference with the ribs, that is, to form a tapered guide surface at the leading edge of the groove or to secure a space for expanding the width of the groove. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid an increase in the size of the fitting-side connector housing, and thus to avoid an increase in the size of the device connector.

[0010] Since the tip of the male tab does not protrude beyond the tip of the rib, interference of the fitting-side connector housing and other members with the male tab is avoided.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The device connector of the present embodiment includes a receiving connector housing 11 (shown on the upper side in FIG. 1) provided on one device 10 such as a meter body of an automobile, and a fitting provided on the other device 20 such as an instrument panel. And the two connector housings 11 and 21 are fitted by bringing both devices 10 and 20 close to each other. Receiving connector housing 11
Is formed integrally with one of the devices 10 and has a cylindrical shape that opens downward in the figure. The inside of the receiving-side connector housing 11 is a fitting recess 12 having a rectangular cross section, into which the fitting-side connector housing 21 is fitted. A plurality of (four in the present embodiment) male tabs 13 project into the fitting recess 12 and when fitted with the fitting-side connector housing 21, the male tab 13 is fitted and connected to the female terminal fitting (not shown). Is done.
A tapered guide surface 14 that extends toward the opening side is formed at the opening edge of the fitting recess 12. The guide surface 14 is provided on the guide surface 26 of the fitting-side connector housing 21.
In cooperation with the above, the positional deviation between the two connector housings 11 and 21 is corrected.

Further, a rib 15 is formed on the inner wall surface of the fitting recess 12 to prevent the fitting-side connector housing 21 from being fitted in a different direction.
The rib 15 is elongated in the fitting direction of the two connector housings 11 and 21, and its rear end reaches the rear end surface of the fitting recess 12, and its front end surface is closer to the rear end edge 14 </ b> A of the guide surface 14. Is located further back. The distance between the rear end edge 14A of the guide surface 14 and the distal end surface 15A of the rib 15 in the fitting direction of the connector housings 11 and 21 is determined by the distance between the distal end surface of the fitting side connector housing 21 described later and the guide surface 26. It is set to the same size as the distance to the rear edge 26A. The size of the tip of the male tab 13 is set so as to be set backward (to the upper side in FIG. 1) from the tip end surface 15A of the rib 15.

The fitting-side connector housing 21 is mounted in a mounting hole 20A of the other device 20 via a bracket 20B. The bracket 20B has a cylindrical shape and has an elastic bending piece 20C on the inner periphery thereof,
The connector housing 2 to be inserted into the bracket 20B
1 is fitted from above in FIG. The fitted connector housing 21 is fitted with a flange 22 formed on the outer periphery thereof and abutted against the upper end of the bracket 20B, whereby downward movement is restricted and a projection 23 formed on the outer periphery of the lower end is formed. By engaging with the lower end of the elastic bending piece 20C, it is prevented from being pulled upward. Also,
The fitting-side connector housing 21 has a predetermined fitting in a plane direction orthogonal to the fitting direction (vertical direction in FIG. 1) of the two connector housings 11 and 21 by elastically resilient pieces 20C elastically contacting the outer periphery thereof. While being urged toward the position (shown in FIG. 1), it is possible to move in a plane direction orthogonal to the fitting direction while elastically bending the elastic bending piece 20C.

A female terminal fitting (not shown) fitted and connected to the male tab 13 is accommodated in the fitting-side connector housing 21, and a cavity 24 accommodating the female terminal fitting is fitted in the fitting. Tip surface 2 of side connector housing 21
1A (the upper end surface in FIG. 1). Also,
A groove 25 is formed in the outer surface of the fitting-side connector housing 21 at a position matching the rib 15 of the receiving-side connector housing 11 along the fitting direction of the two connector housings 11 and 21. 1
As the ribs 15 and 21 are fitted in the correct orientation,
And the groove 25 are fitted. If both connector housings 11 and 21 do not face each other in the normal direction (for example, if one connector housing is 180 °
If the fitting is attempted in the inverted state, the rib 15
Abuts on a portion of the distal end surface 21A of the fitting-side connector housing 21 where the groove 25 is not formed, so that further fitting is restricted. The prevention of fitting is achieved. Further, a tapered guide surface 26 is formed over the entire outer periphery of the distal end portion of the fitting-side connector housing 21. The guide surface 26 cooperates with the guide surface 14 of the receiving-side connector housing 11 and functions to correct the positional displacement between the two connector housings 11 and 21 with the fitting operation.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, since the distal end surface 15A of the rib 15 is located deeper than the open end of the fitting recess 12, the distal end surface 15A of the rib 15 is positioned flush with the opening end surface of the fitting recess 12. As compared with, other members (not shown) are less likely to interfere with the ribs 15. Further, since the distal end of the male tab 13 is located deeper than the distal end face 15A of the rib 15, interference of the fitting-side connector housing 21 and other members with the male tab 13 is prevented.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the two connector housings 11 and 21 approach each other in a state of being displaced in a plane direction orthogonal to the fitting direction, the two guide surfaces 1 and 21 are closed.
When the connector housings 4 and 26 are engaged with each other, the two connector housings 11 and 21 are moved in a direction having a regular positional relationship according to the taper, and the positional displacement is corrected.
The state shown in FIG. During the period from the state where the position is shifted to the state where the correction is completed, the tip surface 15 of the rib 15 is
Since A is located deeper than the distal end face 21A of the fitting-side connector housing 21, the rib 15 does not interfere with the fitting-side connector housing 21, in other words,
There is no interference between the tip of the rib 15 and the opening edge of the groove 25. Therefore, the fitting side connector housing 2
A means for avoiding interference with the rib 15, that is, a space for forming a tapered guide surface at the leading edge of the groove 25 or increasing the width of the groove 25 is secured in the first end surface 21 </ b> A. No need to do. This prevents the area of the distal end face 21A of the fitting-side connector housing 21 (the outer dimension of the receiving-side connector housing 11) from being increased,
As a result, an increase in the size of the device connector is avoided.

[Other Embodiments] The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above with reference to the drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. (1) In the above embodiment, the tip of the male tab is located at a position deeper than the tip of the rib. However, according to the present invention, the tip of the male tab is located at the same position as the tip of the rib, or more than the tip of the rib. You may make it protrude.

(2) In the above embodiment, the fitting-side connector housing can be relatively displaced with respect to the device. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the receiving-side connector housing can be relatively displaced with respect to the device. Alternatively, both the fitting-side and receiving-side connector housings may be displaceable, and both connector housings may be fixed to the device. (3) In the above-described embodiment, the tip of the rib is located at a position deeper than the guide surface by the depth of the guide surface of the fitting-side connector housing.
The tip of the rib may be located at the same position as the rear edge of the guide surface or in the middle of the guide surface. In this case, it is desirable to form a tapered portion at the tip of the rib to avoid interference with the groove.

(4) In the above embodiment, the tapered guide surfaces are formed on both the receiving side and the fitting side connector housings. However, according to the invention of claim 1, the guide surface is formed only on the fitting side connector housing. May be formed, and neither of the connector housings may be provided with a guide surface. (5) In the above embodiment, the fitting-side connector housing can be relatively displaced with respect to the device. However, according to the invention of claim 2, the receiving-side connector housing may be capable of being relatively displaced with respect to the device. Further, both the fitting housing and the receiving housing may be displaceable.

(6) In the above embodiment, the tapered guide surfaces are formed on both the receiving side and the fitting side connector housings. According to the second aspect of the present invention, the guide surfaces are formed only on the fitting side connector housings. May be formed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a state before fitting according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state where both connector housings are displaced in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a state in which both connector housings are corrected to a regular positional relationship in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a rib and a groove in the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the receiving-side connector housing of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a fitting-side connector housing according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state before fitting according to a conventional example.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a state in which both connector housings are displaced in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... One apparatus 11 ... Receiving side connector housing 12 ... Fitting recess 13 ... Male tab 15 ... Rib 20 ... The other apparatus 21 ... Fitting side connector housing 25 ... Groove 26 ... Guide surface

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A receiving connector housing provided in one of two devices to be assembled and provided with a fitting recess, and a fitting connector provided in the other device and fitted in the fitting recess. A housing, and an inner peripheral surface of the fitting concave portion and an outer peripheral surface of the fitting-side connector housing are formed with ribs and grooves extending in a fitting direction, respectively, so that both the connector housings are normal. When the ribs and the grooves are fitted together, the two connector housings are fitted together when facing each other, and when the fitting is attempted in a state where the two connector housings are not facing each other in the normal posture, the fitting is performed. A connector connector for housing, the fitting of the two connector housings is restricted by abutting the plug-side connector housing against the rib, wherein the tip of the rib is An equipment connector, wherein the connector is arranged at a position deeper than an opening end of the fitting recess. 2. A receiving connector housing provided in one of two devices to be assembled and having a fitting recess, and a fitting connector provided in the other device and fitted in the fitting recess. A housing, wherein at least one of the receiving-side connector housing and the fitting-side connector housing is allowed relative displacement in a plane direction orthogonal to a fitting direction of the two connector housings with respect to the device, and a predetermined While being urged toward the fitting position, a tapered guide surface is formed on the outer periphery of the distal end of the fitting-side connector housing, and the receiving-side connector housing and the fitting-side connector housing are fitted in the fitting direction. When the position is displaced in a plane direction perpendicular to the connector housing, the guide surface is moved to the opening of the fitting recess as the fitting of the two connector housings progresses. , The displacement of the two connector housings is corrected, and the inner peripheral surface of the fitting concave portion and the outer peripheral surface of the fitting side connector housing are respectively fitted. The ribs and grooves extending in the direction are formed, and when the two connector housings face each other in a normal posture, the two connector housings are fitted while the ribs and the grooves are fitted, and the two connector housings are When the fitting is attempted in a state where they are not facing each other in a normal posture, the fitting of the connector housing is restricted by fitting the connector housing against the rib. The tip of the rib is located at a position deeper than the opening end of the fitting recess, and in the process of fitting between the two connector housings progresses. A device connector characterized in that the connector is positioned so that the engagement between the rib and the groove is started when the correction of the displacement by the guide surface is completed or after that. 3. The device connector according to claim 1, wherein a male tab is projected into the fitting concave portion, wherein a tip of the male tab has the same depth position as a tip of the rib or the male tab. An equipment connector, wherein the connector is located at a position deeper than a tip of a rib.