JPH0917497A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To selectively fit a divided connector and an integrated connector. CONSTITUTION: A male connector A has two lateral fitting recessed parts 7 in the inner part. On a female connector side, two divided connectors B, B to be independently fitted to each fitting recessed part 7 and an integrated connector C to be fitted over both fitting recessed parts 7 are provided. When the divided connectors B are successively fitted in the use of all poles of the connector, each is fitted with a small fitting force. In the use of only a part of poles, only the corresponding divided connector B is fitted. When the integrated connector C is suitable from a reason on handling, it is fitted. Each divided connector B and the integrated connector C are locked in the drop-out prevented state by lock mechanisms, respectively.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to improvements in connectors having a large number of poles.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art This type of multi-pole connector is used, for example, as a direct connection connector of a junction box (hereinafter, simply referred to as J / B), which will be described with reference to FIGS. That is, on the J / B side,
A male connector 41 as shown in is integrally provided. This male connector 41 has a mating female connector 4 inside.
It has a substantially rectangular cylindrical male housing 43 into which 2 can be fitted, and a large number of male terminal fittings (not shown) are projected through insertion holes 44 formed in the bottom surface thereof.
One of the female connectors 42, as shown in FIGS.
The female housing 45 has a block-shaped female housing 45 that can be fitted in the male housing 43, and is fitted and connected to each of the male terminal fittings described above in a cavity 46 formed in the female housing 45. The terminal fittings are designed to be inserted. Then, the female connector 4 to which the female terminal fitting is attached
When 2 is fitted into the male housing 43 of the male connector 41 on the J / B side, the corresponding female and male terminal fittings are fitted and connected to each other and locked by the locking mechanism in a retaining state.

[0003]

By the way, in the multi-pole connector as described above, since a large number of terminal fittings are fitted at one time, a large fitting force is required and there is a drawback that the fitting work is difficult. . In some cases, the connector pole may use only part of it, and even in such a case, it is necessary to use a large female connector with some cavities empty, which reduces cost. There was also the drawback of being wasted.

The present invention was completed in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a connector which is easy to use by allowing the integral type and the split type to be selectively fitted. To do.

[0005]

As means for achieving the above object, the invention of claim 1 is such that one connector of a pair of male and female connectors has the same number of poles as the other connector. And a plurality of split-type connectors each having a number of poles obtained by dividing the number of poles of the other connector, wherein the other connector is the integral-type connector and the split-type connector. It is characterized in that the respective connectors can be selectively fitted.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the other connector is provided with a locking means capable of locking the integrated type connector and each of the split type connectors in a retaining state. It has a feature in that it has a structure.

[0007]

The operation of the first aspect of the invention is as follows. The integrated connector is fitted over the entire area of the mating connector. The split-type connector is fitted in each corresponding region of the mating connector. According to the second aspect of the present invention, the integrated connector and each split connector are locked by the locking means so as to prevent the connectors from coming off.

[0008]

The effects of the invention of claim 1 are as follows. When all connectors are used, if the split-type connectors are fitted sequentially, each split-type connector has a small number of poles and can be fitted with a small fitting force. Can be done efficiently. When only some of the poles are used, it is sufficient to fit only the corresponding split-type connector, and it is possible to reduce the cost by eliminating waste of the connector. Also, if the same type of connector as before is more suitable for handling reasons, etc., it can be fitted, that is, a wide range of fitting modes can be selected according to the purpose of use, and it is easy to use. Excellent effect can be obtained.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above effects, all connectors can be locked in the fitted state regardless of whether they are the integral type or the split type, so that the regular connection can be made more reliable. The effect that can be secured is obtained.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a J / B direct connection type connector will be described below with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is an upper box of J / B, which is integrally molded with a synthetic resin material, and is assembled with a lower box (not shown) which is also formed of a synthetic resin material to form the J / B. , An electric circuit is housed inside. A plurality of male connectors are provided on the surface of the upper box 1, and the male connector indicated by A is the male connector to which the present invention is applied.

Next, the structure of the male connector A will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the male connector A includes a cylindrical male housing 3 which is elongated in the left-right direction and has a substantially rectangular front shape. The male housing 3 is integrally formed so as to stand upright from the surface of the upper box 1 of the J / B, and inside thereof, mating female connectors B and C on the mating side are fitted, as will be described later in detail. It has become. A first inner wall 4 is formed at the center of the left and right short side peripheral walls of the male housing 3 so as to project inward in a U shape.
A second inner wall 5 which is also U-shaped and protrudes inward is formed in the center of the peripheral wall on the one long side. Also,
As shown in FIG. 7, a short partition wall 6 is formed at the center of the bottom surface of the male housing 3 in the left-right direction, and the partition wall 6 forms two fitting recesses 7, 7 in the male housing 3.
Are formed.

Each of the fitting recesses 7 is formed in a bilaterally symmetrical shape, and eight insertion holes 8 shown in the drawing are symmetrically arranged and opened on the bottom surface of each of the fitting recesses 7 to the electric circuit inside the J / B. The connected male terminal fittings (not shown) are projected into the fitting recesses 7 through the respective insertion holes 8. Further, each fitting recess 7 is provided with two first guide grooves 10 on the outer sides of both side surfaces of the first inner wall 4, and on the outer side of the side surface of the second inner wall 5 and on the opposite peripheral wall. The second guide groove 11 is provided at a position corresponding to the above position in.

Next, the female connector fitted to the above male connector A will be described. The female connector of this embodiment includes two split type connectors B and an integrated type connector C. The split connector B has a female housing 13 as shown in FIGS. Each female housing 13
Is formed of a synthetic resin material in a block shape having a bilaterally symmetrical shape, and has a first rib 14 and a second rib 15 protruding from the outer peripheral surface thereof, respectively.
While fitting into 0 and 11, it is possible to tightly fit into the corresponding fitting recess 7 on either the left or right side. In each female housing 13, eight cavities 17 are formed in the figure,
Female terminal fittings that are fitted with male terminal fittings that project into the corresponding fitting recesses 7 of the male housing 3 can be accommodated.

When these female housings 13 are fitted in the corresponding fitting recesses 7, they can be locked so as not to come off. Therefore, the mounting plate 19 is formed between the rear ends (upper ends in FIG. 7) of the first ribs 14 of the female housings 13, and the elastic locking pieces 20 are formed so as to extend downward from the outer edges thereof. ing. This elastic locking piece 20
Has a lower end side that can be flexibly deformed inward, and a locking groove 21 is cut from a position slightly above the lower end toward the upper end. A pressing portion 22 for pressing operation is formed on the outer surface of the elastic locking piece 20.

On the other hand, on the male housing 3 side, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, a short protruding wall 24 is formed in the peripheral wall portion where each first inner wall 4 is provided. When the female housing 13 is fitted into the fitting recess 7, the projecting wall 24 allows the tip of the elastic locking piece 20 to enter the inside thereof. An inward hook portion 25 that can be fitted into the locking groove 21 of the elastic locking piece 20 is formed on the upper edge of the.

Next, the other integrated connector C will be described. The integrated connector C is similar to the female connector described in the section of the prior art, but will be described again.
The integrated connector C has a female housing 27 as shown in FIGS. The female housing 27 is also made of a synthetic resin material in a block shape, and two ribs 28 projecting from one surface thereof are fitted into the second guide grooves 11 on both the left and right sides of the second inner wall 5 while It is adapted to be tightly fitted in a position between the protruding surfaces of both the first inner walls 4 in a region extending over the left and right fitting recesses 7 of the housing 3. In the female housing 27, 16 cavities 17 shown in the drawings, into which female terminal fittings can be inserted, are formed in correspondence with the insertion holes 8 of the male housing 3. A clearance groove 29 into which the partition wall 6 of the male housing 3 can be fitted is formed on the fitting surface of the female housing 27.

As for the lock mechanism of the integrated connector C, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 13, the female housing 2 is used.
A mounting plate 31 is formed between the rear ends (upper ends in the figure) of the ribs 28 in FIG. 7, and elastic locking pieces 32 extend downward from the outer edges thereof. This elastic locking piece 32
Also, like the elastic locking piece 20 of the split connector B, the lower end side thereof can be flexibly deformed inward, and the locking groove 3 extends from a position slightly above the lower end toward the upper end.
3 is cut. Further, on the outer surface of the elastic locking piece 32,
A pressing portion 34 for pressing operation is formed.

2 and 13 on the male housing 3 side.
As shown in FIG. 5, a short projecting wall 36 is formed in the peripheral wall portion provided with the second inner wall 5, and when the female housing 27 is fitted in the male housing 3, the tip of the elastic locking piece 32 is formed. Part can enter the inside of the projecting wall 36, and the projecting wall 3
An inward hook portion 37 that can be fitted into the locking groove 33 of the elastic locking piece 32 is formed at the upper edge of the member 6.

The present embodiment has the structure as described above, and an example of its use will be described subsequently. When the split connector B is used, female terminal fittings are housed in the left and right female housings 13, respectively, and then each female housing 13 is placed in the corresponding fitting recess 7 of the male housing 3 as shown in FIG. Mate sequentially. In each female housing 13, the first rib 14 and the second rib 15 on the outer peripheral surface are fitted into the first and second guide grooves 10 and 11, respectively, and are fitted while being guided by them, and elastically locked midway. When the tip of the piece 20 hits the hook portion 25, the elastic locking piece 20 is pushed in while flexing and deforming inward, and when the female housing 13 is completely fitted, as shown in FIG. 20 is restored and deformed and hook 2
By fitting 5 into the locking groove 21, the female housing 13 is locked in the retaining state. This is sequentially performed for the left and right female housings 13 as described above. As a result, the male terminal fitting of the male housing 3 and the female terminal fittings housed in the left and right female housings 13 are fitted and connected.

That is, even when the total number of poles of the connector is used, if the split type connectors B are sequentially fitted as described above, each split type connector B has a small number of poles and is small. Since the fitting can be performed with the fitting force, the fitting work can be efficiently performed.

When the connector B is to be disengaged, the connector shown in FIG.
When the pressing portion 22 is pressed in this state, the elastic locking piece 20 bends inward and the locking groove 21 is pulled out from the hook portion 25. Therefore, the female housing 13 may be pulled out as it is.

Next, in the case where only a part of the poles are used, for example, when it is sufficient to connect only the male terminal fitting projecting in the one fitting recess 7 in the male connector A, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, only the split-type connector B corresponding to the fitting recess 7 needs to be fitted. In this case, the fitting operation, the locking operation, and the detaching operation of the split connector B are the same as in the above example.
When only some of the poles are used as described above, it is sufficient to fit only the necessary split-type connector B, and it is possible to reduce the cost by eliminating the wasteful use of the connector.

If the same type of connector C as before is more suitable for handling reasons, etc., it can be used. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, when the female housing 27 into which the female terminal fittings are inserted is fitted into the male housing 3, the female housing 27 becomes a rib 28.
Is inserted into the second guide groove 11, and the escape groove 29 is inserted into the partition wall 6 while being guided and pushed in by the partition wall 6.
As shown in FIG. 12, the male housing 3 is tightly fitted to a position between the protruding surfaces of the first inner walls 4 in a region extending to the left and right fitting recesses 7. Further, when the tip of the elastic locking piece 32 hits the hook portion 37 during the pushing, the elastic locking piece 32 is flexed and deformed inward, and when the elastic locking piece 32 is completely fitted as described above, it is shown in FIG. As described above, the elastic locking piece 32 is restored and deformed, and the hook portion 37 is fitted into the locking groove 33, so that the female housing 27 is locked in the retaining state.

When the connector C is to be disengaged, FIG.
When the pressing portion 34 is pressed from the state of 3, the elastic locking piece 32
Bends inward and the locking groove 33 comes out of the hook 37,
The female housing 27 may be pulled out as it is.

As described above, according to this embodiment, when the total number of poles of the connector is used, the split connector B on the female side is used.
By sequentially fitting the above into the corresponding fitting recesses 7 of the male connector A, a small fitting force is required for each and the fitting work can be performed efficiently. When only some of the poles are used, it is only necessary to fit the corresponding split-type connector B, and it is possible to reduce the cost by eliminating the waste of the connector.
Further, if the same type of connector C as before is more suitable for handling reasons or the like, it may be fitted.
Then, the female housings 13, 13 and 27 are locked so as not to come off. That is, a wide range of fitting modes can be selected according to the purpose of use, and the advantage of excellent usability can be obtained.

<Other Embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. In addition to the above, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

(1) In the above embodiment, the case where the female connector is divided into two is illustrated, but it may be divided into three or more. (2) The present invention can be applied not only to the J / B direct connection type connector but also to a wire-wire connector. (3) What is further divided may be either male or female connectors.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a J / B upper box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the male connector.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a split type connector.

FIG. 4 is a front view thereof.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the integrated connector.

FIG. 6 is a front view thereof.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a split-type connector before fitting.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view after fitting.

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view before fitting when fitting only one split-type connector.

FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view after the fitting.

FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view of the integrated connector before fitting.

FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view after the fitting.

FIG. 13 is a transverse sectional view thereof.

FIG. 14 is a front view of a conventional male connector.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the female connector.

FIG. 16 is a front view thereof.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A ... Male connector B ... (Female side) split-type connector C ... (Female side) integrated connector 3 ... Male housing 7 ... Fitting recess 13 ... Female housing 20 ... Elastic locking piece 21 ... Locking groove 25 ... Hook part 27 ... Female housing 32 ... Elastic locking piece 33 ... Locking groove 37 ... Hook part

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. One connector of a pair of male and female connectors comprises an integrated connector having the same number of poles as the other connector and a number of poles obtained by dividing the number of poles of the other connector. A connector having a plurality of split-type connectors each having, wherein the other connector is capable of selectively fitting the integrated connector and each of the split-type connectors. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the other connector is provided with a locking means capable of locking the integrated connector and each of the split type connectors in a retaining state. .