JPH0955263A - Connector provided with engagement detecting function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely detect the incomplete engagement of a housing. SOLUTION: A movable side detection terminal 13 is incorperated in the inside of a female housing 1. The movable side detection terminal 13 is provided with elastic slices 14A and 14B which are forked in two, and are capable of being deflected so as to be deformed. Meanwhile, a guide projected part 21 is formed in the inside of a male housing 2, and when both the housings 1 and 2 are on the halfway of engagement, one elastic slice 14A is deflected upward, and a contact part 15A is parted from a fixed side detection terminal 18. And at the time when both the housings have been completely engaged with each other, the elastic slice 14A is elastically returned so as to allow the contact part 15A to be in contact with the fixed side detection terminal 18, and an engagement detecting circuit is thereby closed. Even if the lock of the guide projected part 21 is released by some reasons after both the housings have been completely engaged so as to allow a parting action to be started, it is so designed that the elastic slice 14A is deflected so as to be separated from the fixed side detection terminal 18. By this constitution, either one of a defective engagement taking place on the halfway to an engagement or a defective engagement taking place after an engagement has been made, can surely be detected.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector having a fitting detection function for detecting that the connector is in a proper fitting state.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a connector used for an airbag device of an automobile, there is a strong demand for reliable connection. Therefore, in such a device, it is desired to be able to detect that the male and female connectors are completely fitted together.

As an example of a connector having such a fitting detection function, for example, a connector having a structure described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-50982 is known. Briefly, a movable side detection terminal that can be flexibly deformed is incorporated on the male connector side. The movable side detection terminal is formed in a U shape as a whole, and has a pair of elastically deformable elastic tongue pieces, and a lock confirmation piece is formed so as to project inward at the tip thereof.

On the other hand, on the female connector side, a pair of fixed side detection terminals are attached corresponding to both movable side detection terminals. Further, a tapered guide portion is provided inside the both fixed-side detection terminals. This guide part prevents the contact between the elastic tongue and the fixed side detection terminal by sliding the lock confirmation piece along the upper surface during the fitting of both housings, and allows the guide part to get over when fully fitted. The elastic return is made by contacting both the fixed and movable detection terminals for the first time.

[0005]

By the way, after the male and female housings are properly fitted together, the locks of the two housings are partly released for some reason, and the two housings move in the separating direction, albeit slightly. There is. Such a situation may occur, for example, in the case of maintenance or the like, in which a worker thinks of disconnection of the connector and interrupts the work while unlocking.

In such a case, in the above-mentioned one, although the elastic tongue and the fixed side detection terminal are slightly displaced from the contact position between the elastic tongue and the fixed side detection terminal in the normal fitting state, the elastic tongue and the fixed side detection terminal are continuously moved. Since the contact state of No. 2 is continuously maintained, it is still detected as being in the normal fitting state even though the lock is half-engaged.

The present invention has been devised and devised in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object thereof is to make it possible to surely detect the fitting when the connector is unlocked. is there.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the invention for achieving the above object, a plurality of pairs of male and female terminal fittings are housed in a removable male and female connector, and at least a pair of male and female of them are housed. In the case where the terminal fitting is used as a detection terminal for fitting detection, and one of them is a fixed side and the other is a movable side that can be flexibly deformed, the inner wall surface of the chamber in which the fixed side detection terminal is provided is A guide portion is formed, and the guide portion is flexibly deformed to a position where the movable side detection terminal is separated from the fixed side detection terminal in both directions of fitting and disengaging of both connectors, and both connectors are When in the completely fitted state, the movable side detection terminal is elastically restored to contact the fixed side detection terminal in a conductive state.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the movable side detection terminal has a base end portion for assembling to a connector, and the base end portion has a movable side detection terminal. It is characterized in that an excessive flexure preventing piece for restricting excessive flexure on the tip end side of the terminal is formed.

[0010]

According to the invention of claim 1, when both connectors are fitted to each other, the movable side detection terminal is flexibly deformed along the guide portion and separated from the fixed side detection terminal during the fitting process. Therefore, it is detected that the both connectors are not in the proper fitting state based on the fact that the both detecting terminals are not in the electrically conductive state. However, when both connectors are properly fitted, the movable side detection terminal disengages from the guide part, so that the movable side detection terminal elastically recovers and comes into contact with the fixed side detection terminal, that is, it becomes electrically conductive. Based on this, it is detected that both connectors are properly fitted.

Further, even when both connectors are displaced in the direction of separating from the normal fitting state, the movable side detection terminal is separated from the fixed side detection terminal again by the guide portion. Imperfect mating is immediately detected.

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since the half-fitted state is reliably detected in both the fitting and separating directions of both connectors, the reliability of the fitting detection function is improved. To be

Further, according to the second aspect of the invention, when the movable side detection terminal is excessively forced to bend and deform, the excessive deflection preventing piece regulates this, so that the function of the excessive deflection preventing piece is improved. Retention can be achieved.

[0014]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.
A description will be given based on FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a female connector housing (hereinafter referred to as a female housing 1), which is integrally molded of a synthetic resin material. Further, the female housing 1 has a terminal accommodating portion 3 having a substantially rectangular tube shape,
In addition, the hood portion 4 is provided so as to surround the entire front half of the terminal accommodating portion 3. The terminal accommodating portion 3 includes a cavity (not shown) for accommodating the female terminal fitting, and a fitting detection chamber 5 for accommodating the fitting detection terminal so as to be surrounded by the cavities and parallel to the cavities. Are formed.

On the other hand, the housing of the male connector (hereinafter referred to as "male housing 2") is also made of a synthetic resin material and is formed so that it can be fitted into the female housing 1. Also, male terminal fittings are accommodated in the male housing 2 as many as the female housing 1 side,
When the male and female housings 1 and 2 are properly fitted together, the male and female terminal fittings are electrically connected to each other.

Further, a lock arm 6 for locking the fitted state of the male and female housings 1 and 2 is provided on the upper surface of the female housing 11. The front half side of the lock arm 6 is provided in a recess 7 formed in a cutout shape on the upper surface of the hood portion 4 so as to be substantially flush therewith, and the whole is supported in a seesaw shape with respect to the hood portion 4 and supported. It is swingable around the leg portion 8. Further, an engaging hole 9 is formed on the front end side thereof, and a rear end side thereof is an operation portion 10 which is protruded rearward from the hood portion 4 and can be pressed.

On the other hand, an engaging projection 11 is formed on the upper surface of the male housing 2 so that the male and female housings 1 and 2 can be engaged with the engaging hole 9 in a properly fitted (completely fitted) state. As a result, the male and female housings 1 and 2 are locked in a retaining state.

Next, the internal structure of the fitting detection chamber 5 in the female connector will be described. Inside the fitting detection chamber 5, a recess 12 for assembling which opens to the front is formed, and the movable side detection terminal 13 is formed therein. It is installed by press fitting.
The movable side detection terminal 13 is integrally formed of a conductive metal thin plate material, and the base end portion 13A is bent symmetrically from both left and right sides to form a rectangular tube shape. Also, the base end portion 13A
Two elastic tongue pieces 14A and 14B are bifurcated and extend in parallel to the front side from the lower surface of the, and can be flexibly deformed in the vertical direction.

The elastic tongues 14A and 14B are formed such that the intermediate portions thereof are curved downward, and the contact portions 15A and 15B, respectively.
It is as B. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, one elastic tongue (the one on the front side in the drawing 14A) is erected obliquely upward on the free end side with the contact portion 15A as the starting end. The elastic tongue piece 14B extends straight as it is. Further, the front end side of the elastic tongue piece 14A on the front side of the drawing protrudes inward from the contact point portion 15A.
Are formed. Further, from the base end portion 13A toward the both elastic tongue pieces 14A and 14B, a pair of excessive deflection preventing pieces 17 is formed.
Is extending. The tip portion of the excessive deflection preventing piece 17 is formed to be curved upward, and each tip is always in contact with the upper surface of the elastic tongue pieces 14A and 14B (may be separated from each other). And the elastic tongue pieces 14A, 1
When 4B is flexed and deformed upward, the elastic tongues 14A and 14B are slid on the elastic tongues 14A and 14B while flexing accordingly, and the elastic force at that time acts on the elastic tongues 14A and 14B in the returning direction. The elastic tongues 14A and 14B are prevented from being excessively bent.

The male housing 2 also has a space for accommodating the fixed side detection terminal 18, and a partition plate 19 is vertically arranged inside the space. The partition plate 19 is the elastic tongue piece 1 described above.
It is formed sufficiently narrower than the leg-to-leg dimension of 4A and 14B, and when the male and female housings 1 and 2 are fitted together, the partition plate 19 can relatively enter between the legs of the elastic tongues 14A and 14B. Further, at a height position near the lower end edge of the partition plate 19, a pair of side plates 20 project to the left and right sides, and the partition plate 19
Is formed with a length that leaves the tip of the. A pair of fixed side detection terminals 18 formed of a conductive metal plate are provided on the upper surfaces of the both side plates 20 and near the outer edges thereof.
It extends to the leading edge of 0. Both fixed side detection terminals 18
Are arranged so that, when the male and female housings 1 and 2 are aligned, they are located on substantially the same line as the corresponding movable side detection terminals 13 and at substantially the same height. However, the other end sides of both fixed side detection terminals 18 are connected to a detection circuit (not shown).

The front side of the side plates 20 shown in FIG. 2 is provided with a guide projection 21 for the projecting portion 16 of one elastic tongue 14A. The guide protrusion 21 is arranged on the leading edge of the side plate 20 between the fixed side detection terminal 18 and the partition plate 19. Guide protrusion 2
1 prevents contact between one elastic tongue piece (the front side 14A in the figure) and the corresponding fixed side detection terminal 18 during the fitting and separation of the two housings 1 and 2, and makes contact only when they are completely fitted. It plays the role of

More specifically, the guide projection 21 has an elastic tongue piece 14 on the front side in the figure at the initial stage of fitting the male and female housings 1 and 2, that is, before the male and female terminal fittings start contacting each other.
The protruding portion 16 of A is arranged at a position where it can be picked up. In the drawing, the front end face of the guide protrusion 21 is cut off substantially vertically, but a gentle taper face may be formed in order to make the pickup operation smoother. Further, the guide protrusion 21 has a horizontal surface 21B formed continuously with the cut-off surface 21A, and further has an inclined surface 21C having a downward slope from here to the rear end. The end position of the inclined surface 21C is a position where the projecting portion 16 reaches when the male and female housings 1 and 2 are completely fitted together, that is, the projecting portion 16 is set to complete the passage of the guide projecting portion 21 when completely fitted. Therefore, for the first time, the contact portion of the elastic tongue piece 14A on the front side of the drawing comes into contact with the fixed side detection terminal 18. By the contact between the contact portion and the fixed-side detection terminal 18, the fitting detection circuit is closed, and it is possible to electrically detect that the housings 1 and 2 are completely fitted.

On the contrary, when the housing is moved in the separating direction from the completely fitted state, the projecting portion 16 immediately rides on the inclined surface 21C and the contact portion 15A and the fixed side detection terminal 18 are separated from each other. As a result, the fitting detection circuit is opened and it is detected that the completely fitted state of both housings 1 and 2 is released.

Next, the function and effect of the present embodiment configured as described above will be specifically described. Male and female housings 1,
When the two are fitted together, first, the projecting portion 16 of the elastic tongue piece 14A on the front side in the drawing is picked up by the guide projection portion 21, that is, the elastic tongue piece rides on the horizontal surface 21B of the guide projection portion 21 while flexing and deforming upward (Fig. 1 state). At this time, the contact between the male and female terminal fittings (not shown) has not started.

After that, when the fitting of the two housings 1 and 2 further progresses, the projecting portion 16 is guided along the horizontal surface 21B of the guide projection 21 and further along the inclined surface 21C. Since the elastic tongue piece 14A is bent and deformed upward, the contact portion 15A is fixed to the fixed side detection terminal 18A.
The state of being separated from continues. On the other hand, after the front end of the lock arm 6 abuts on the engaging protrusion of the male housing 2, the front part of the lock arm 6 is lifted up around the support leg 8 as the fitting of the two housings 1 and 2 progresses. Elastic deformation is carried out so as to ride on 11 (state in FIG. 3).

However, the elastic tongue piece 14B on the rear side in the figure is almost at the same time when the above-mentioned overhanging portion 16 is picked up by the guide protrusion 21, and at the same time, the tip end thereof corresponds to the fixed side detection terminal 1.
When the male and female housings 1 and 2 are fitted together, the contact portion 15B slides while pressingly contacting the fixed side detection terminal 18 as the male and female housings 1 and 2 are fitted.

When the two housings 1 and 2 are fitted further deeply and the normal fitting state is reached, the lock arm 6 is elastically restored by the engagement holes 9 and the engagement projections 11 engaging each other. As a result, the housings 1 and 2 are locked in a completely fitted state, and at the same time, the male and female terminal fittings (not shown) are properly fitted to each other and are electrically connected to each other.

When the two housings 1 and 2 are in a completely fitted state, the projecting portion 16 passes through the guide projection 21, so that the elastic tongue 14A on the front side in the drawing elastically returns. As a result, the contact portion 14B comes into contact with the fixed side detection terminal 18 with an appropriate elastic force. The contact between the contact portion 14B and the fixed-side detection terminal 18 closes the fitting detection circuit,
For example, it is detected that the housings 1 and 2 are completely fitted by turning off the lamp.

By the way, after such a completely fitted state is realized, due to some circumstances (maintenance, etc.),
Assume that the engagement between the engagement hole 9 of the lock arm 6 and the engagement protrusion 11 is released, and the two housings 1 and 2 move in a direction in which they are relatively separated from each other. In such a case, since the protruding portion 16 of the elastic tongue piece 14A on the front side in the drawing performs a backward movement operation such that the protruding portion 16 rides on the inclined surface 21C, the contact portion 15A on this side is separated from the fixed side detection terminal 18. As a result, the fitting detection circuit is opened, and it is detected that the housings 1 and 2 are in an incomplete fitting state by, for example, lighting a lamp.

As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to reliably detect not only the fitting failure during the fitting of the two housings 1 and 2 but also the fitting failure that occurs after the fitting is completed. High reliability can be obtained with respect to the detection of the presence or absence of fitting. Further, since the movable side detection terminal 13 is provided with the excessive flexure prevention piece 17 for both elastic tongue pieces, for example, when it is hit with an upward bending force before being assembled into a housing or the like. However, even if there is, there is an advantage that the tip can press down the elastic tongues 14A and 14B to effectively control excessive bending exceeding the elastic limit.

The present invention can be modified in various ways,
The following modifications are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, the guide portion is shown as a projection and explained, but instead of the projection, for example, a guide groove may be provided in a partition plate. Any means can be used as long as it can elastically deform the contact and the separation.

In this embodiment, the guide protrusion 21 is formed only for the elastic tongue 14A on one side, but the tips of both elastic tongues 14A and 14B are warped, and the guide protrusions 21 are correspondingly formed. The part 21 may be formed.

In this embodiment, the guide protrusion 21 is used for both the forward path (for the fitting operation) and the backward path (for the separating operation), but it may be provided separately.

In the present embodiment, the movable side detection terminal 13 may be integrated to separate the elastic tongue pieces 14A and 14B into two pieces, which are connected by an electric wire or the like. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an initial state of mating of a connector.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a main part.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a half-fitted state.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a completely fitted state.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the movable side detection terminal and the guide protrusion when fully fitted.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2 ... Housing 6 ... Lock arm 13 ... Movable side detection terminal 14A, 14B ... Elastic tongue piece 15A, 15B ... Contact point 16 ... Overhang part 17 ... Excessive bending prevention piece 18 ... Fixed side detection terminal 21 ... Guide protrusion

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A removable male and female connector accommodates a plurality of pairs of male and female terminal fittings, and at least one pair of male and female terminal fittings are used as detection terminals for fitting detection, and one of them is a fixed side. The other is a movable side that can be flexibly deformed, and a guide portion is formed on the inner wall surface of the chamber in which the fixed side detection terminal is provided, and the guide portion is used for both fitting and detaching of both connectors. Also in the direction of, the movable side detection terminal is flexibly deformed to a position where it is separated from the fixed side detection terminal along the way, and when both connectors are in a completely fitted state, the movable side detection terminal is elastically returned to the fixed side. A connector with a fitting detection function, which is adapted to be brought into contact with a detection terminal in a conductive state. 2. The movable-side detection terminal according to claim 1, wherein the movable-side detection terminal has a base end portion for attachment to a connector, and the base-end portion has excessive bending on the tip side of the movable-side detection terminal. A connector with a fitting detection function, characterized in that an excessive bending prevention piece for regulating the connector is formed.