JP3887695B2

JP3887695B2 - connector

Info

Publication number: JP3887695B2
Application number: JP2001383687A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 英人中村
Original assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2001-12-17
Filing date: 2001-12-17
Publication date: 2007-02-28
Anticipated expiration: 2021-12-17
Also published as: JP2003187911A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、パネルに取り付けられるコネクタに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、自動車のドアパネルに取り付けられるコネクタの一例として特開平８−２９３３５２号公報に記載されたものが知られている。このものは、図２４に示すように、ハウジング１がパネルＰに開口して設けられた取付孔Ｈに対して貫通させつつ取り付けられるようになっており、取り付けに際しては、パネルＰの図示右面に対してハウジング１に設けられたフランジ２を当接させつつ係止部３を取付孔Ｈを通過させた後にパネルＰの左面に係止させることで、係止部３とフランジ２によりパネルＰを挟み込み、もってパネルＰに対してハウジング１を取り付け状態に保持するようにしている。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところが、ハウジング１をパネルＰに取り付ける際に、作業者は、ハウジング１が取り付け途中であるにも拘わらず正規に取り付けられたと勘違いして作業を終了してしまう場合がある。この取り付け途中の状態では、ハウジング１がパネルＰに対してしっかりと固定されないため、このまま放置されるのは問題であった。
本発明は上記のような事情に基づいて完成されたものであって、パネルに対してコネクタハウジングが取り付け途中の状態で放置されるのを防ぐことを目的とする。
【０００４】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記の目的を達成するための手段として、請求項１の発明は、パネルに開口して設けられた取付孔に貫通した状態で取り付けられるコネクタハウジングを備え、このコネクタハウジングには、前記パネルに対してコネクタハウジングを取り付け状態に保持するための保持手段が設けられているものにおいて、前記コネクタハウジングが前記パネルに対して正規に取り付けられたか否かを検知するための検知手段が備えられ、かつ、この検知手段は、前記コネクタハウジングに組み付けられるとともに検知位置へ向け前記パネルに対するコネクタハウジングの取付方向と交差する向きに沿って移動可能な検知部材と、パネル側に設けられ前記検知部材に設けられた検知部に干渉可能な規制部とを備え、かつこの規制部は前記取付孔の内周面によって構成され、前記パネルに対してコネクタハウジングが取り付け途中のときは、前記検知部が前記取付孔の内周面に干渉することで検知部材の検知位置への移動動作が規制され、コネクタハウジングが正規に取り付けられると、検知部が取付孔を通過して非干渉になって検知部材を検知位置まで移動できるようになっており、移動後には前記検知部が前記パネルのうち前記コネクタハウジングが取り付けられる側と反対側の面に係止されるようになっており、
また、前記保持手段は、前記パネルのうちコネクタハウジングが取り付けられる側の面に当接可能な突き当て部と、パネルのうちコネクタハウジングが取り付けられる側とは反対側の面に係止することで前記突き当て部との間でパネルを挟み込む固定係止部及び弾性係止部とを備え、コネクタハウジングの取り付け時には、先に前記固定係止部を前記取付孔に通過させてパネルに係止させた後に、前記弾性係止部を取付孔の孔縁により撓ませつつ取付孔を通過させてパネルに係止させるようにしてあり、かつ前記検知部材が前記固定係止部側から前記弾性係止部側へ移動することで前記検知位置に達するとともに、前記検知部がパネルのうち前記弾性係止部側に係止されるようになっており、さらに、前記検知部には、前記コネクタハウジングが正規に取り付けられる手前の段階で前記検知部材を検知位置へ移動させようとしたときに、前記取付孔の孔縁に摺接されることでコネクタハウジングを正規の取付状態へ矯正可能な案内面が設けられているところに特徴を有する。
【０００５】
請求項２の発明は、請求項１に記載のものにおいて、前記コネクタハウジングを前記パネルの裏側から取り付けるものにおいて、前記検知部材には、パネルの表側からの移動操作を可能とする操作部が設けられているところに特徴を有する。
【０００６】
請求項３の発明は、請求項１又は請求項２に記載のものにおいて、パネルに取り付けられた状態のコネクタハウジングに対して嵌合可能な相手のコネクタハウジングには、両コネクタハウジングの嵌合に伴って前記撓み空間内に進入可能な撓み規制部が備えられているところに特徴を有する。
【００１２】
【発明の作用及び効果】
＜請求項１の発明＞
パネルに対してコネクタハウジングが正規に取り付けられると、保持手段によりコネクタハウジングがパネルに対して保持される。一方、取り付け途中にも拘わらず取付作業を止めた場合には、保持手段による保持が不完全となる。
そして、パネルに対してコネクタハウジングが取り付けられる途中では、検知部が取付孔内に配されるとともにその内周面に干渉することで検知部材の移動動作が規制される。コネクタハウジングが正規に取り付けられると、検知部が取付孔を通過してその内周面とは非干渉となる。このように検知部材を検知位置まで移動できるか否かに基づいてパネルに対するコネクタハウジングの取付状態を検知することができる。その場合に、規制部として既存構造である取付孔の内周面を利用しているから、パネルに対して規制部専用の格別な構造を設ける必要がなく、低コストとすることができる。
そして、保持手段に加えて検知部材の検知部が係止されるから、パネルに対してコネクタハウジングをより強固に保持することができる。
また、コネクタハウジングを取付孔に取り付けると、突き当て部と固定係止部及び弾性係止部との間でパネルを挟み込んだ状態でコネクタハウジングが保持される。検知部材を検知位置へ移動させると検知部がパネルのうち固定係止部側ではなく弾性係止部側に係止されるから、仮に弾性係止部が不用意に撓まされてその係止状態が解除された場合でも、パネルに対するコネクタハウジングの保持状態を安定したものに保つことができる。
更に加えて、検知部に案内面を設けるようにしたから、検知部材を検知位置へ移動させる動作を利用して、取り付け途中のコネクタハウジングを正規の取付状態に矯正することができ、作業性が良好となる。
【００１３】
＜請求項２の発明＞
コネクタハウジングをパネルの裏側から取り付ける場合でも、パネルの表側、すなわち作業者側から検知部材の移動操作を行うことができる。
【００１４】
＜請求項３の発明＞
コネクタハウジングがパネルに対して正規に取り付けられると、弾性係止部が撓み空間から退避して突き当て部との間でパネルを挟み込んでいるので、この状態で相手のコネクタハウジングを嵌合させると、撓み規制部が撓み空間内に進入することで嵌合動作が許容されるとともに弾性係止部の撓みが規制される。一方、コネクタハウジングがパネルに対して取り付け途中のときは、弾性係止部が撓んだまま撓み空間内に配されているので、この状態で相手のコネクタハウジングを嵌合させようとしても、撓み規制部が撓んだ状態の弾性係止部に突き当たることで、嵌合動作が規制される。
このようにコネクタハウジングに対して相手のコネクタハウジングを嵌合できるか否かに基づいてパネルに対するコネクタハウジングの取付状態を検知することができる。しかも、嵌合状態では、撓み規制部により弾性係止部の撓み規制を行うことができるから、パネルに対するコネクタハウジングの保持を安定したものとすることができる。
【００１８】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の一実施形態を図１ないし図２３によって説明する。この実施形態では、自動車のドアのパネルに取り付けられるコネクタを示す。このものは、パネルＰに開口して形成された取付孔Ｈに対してパネルＰの裏側から雄コネクタハウジング２０（以下、単に雄ハウジング２０という）が貫通した状態で取り付けられ、その雄ハウジング２０に対して雌コネクタハウジング１０（以下、単に雌ハウジング１０という）がパネルＰの表側から嵌合されるようになっている。なお、以下では、雄ハウジング２０のパネルＰに対する取付方向を前方として説明する。
【００１９】
雌ハウジング１０は、合成樹脂製とされ、図１５及び図１６に示すように、略ブロック状に形成されるとともに、内部には図示しない雌端子金具を収容可能なキャビティ１１が複数室並んで設けられている。雌ハウジング１０の長辺側外側面には、断面略コ字型をなすレバー１２を回動可能に軸支する軸ピン１３が一対設けられ、この軸ピン１３が嵌合されるレバー１２の軸孔１４の周囲には、雄ハウジング２０側の引っ掛け受け部２４に引っ掛けるための引っ掛け部１５と、嵌合凸部２５を嵌合するための嵌合凹部１６が設けられている。両ハウジング１０，２０をある程度嵌合させた後に、レバー１２を図１８に示す初期位置から図２０に示す嵌合位置まで約９０度反時計回り方向へ回動させることで引っ掛け部１５が引っ掛け受け部２４に係合し、そのてこ作用によって両ハウジング１０，２０が正規深さまで嵌合されるようになっている。雌ハウジング１０のうち図１５の右側外側面には、一段高くなって形成されるとともに前後方向に沿って延出する撓み規制部１７が一対設けられており、この撓み規制部１７は、両ハウジング１０，２０の嵌合に伴って後述する弾性係止部３１に設けられた溝部３３内に進入可能とされている。
【００２０】
雄ハウジング２０は、合成樹脂製とされ、図１及び図２に示すように、雄端子金具（図示せず）を収容可能なキャビティ２１を雌ハウジング１０側と対応する位置に複数室備えた端子収容部２２と、端子収容部２２から前方へ突出する略長方形の筒状に形成されるとともにその内側に前方から雌ハウジング１０が嵌合可能とされるフード部２３とを備えている。フード部２３の長辺部分の内面には、共に内方に張り出す引っ掛け受け部２４と嵌合凸部２５とが前後に並んで形成されている。なお、フード部２３の長辺部分には、雄ハウジング２０の成形時に引っ掛け受け部２４及び嵌合凸部２５を型抜きするための型抜き孔２６が側方へ開口して設けられており、この型抜き孔２６を通して引っ掛け受け部２４及び嵌合凸部２５とレバー１２の引っ掛け部１５及び嵌合凹部１６との位置関係を外部から視認可能となっている。
【００２１】
フード部２３の前端よりもやや後方位置の外周面には、雄ハウジング２０のパネルＰへの取り付けに伴ってパネルＰの裏面Ｐａ（パネルＰのうち雄ハウジング２０が取り付けられる側の面）に当接可能なフランジ２７が張り出して設けられている。フード部２３のうちフランジ２７よりも前方へ突出した部分がパネルＰへの取り付け時に取付孔Ｈに嵌合・貫通してパネルＰの表側へ突出する貫通部２８とされている。貫通部２８のうち図１の下側には、検知部材５０を収容可能な検知部材収容部２９が連結して設けられており、この検知部材収容部２９も貫通部２８と共に取付孔Ｈに嵌合・貫通されてパネルＰの表側へ突出されるようになっている。またフランジ２７は、この検知部材収容部２９の周囲をも取り囲んで設けられている。
【００２２】
貫通部２８のうち図１の右側の長辺部分における前端外面からは、フランジ２７に対向するように張り出す固定係止部３０が一対設けられる一方、図１の左側の長辺部分には、スリットを入れることで片持ち状の弾性係止部３１が一対設けられている。弾性係止部３１は、雄ハウジング２０の短辺方向に沿って内方へ撓み変形可能とされており、図４に示すように、その前端外面からはフランジ２７に対向する係止爪３２が突設されている。弾性係止部３１及び係止爪３２の前面側には、後方へ向かって上り勾配をなすテーパ面が形成されている。
【００２３】
これら固定係止部３０及び弾性係止部３１の係止爪３２は、雄ハウジング２０をパネルＰに取り付けると、取付孔Ｈを通過した後にパネルＰの表面Ｐｂ（パネルＰのうち雄ハウジング２０が取り付けられる側とは反対側の面）に係止されてフランジ２７との間でパネルＰを挟み込むことができるようになっている（図８）。この取り付け過程では、弾性係止部３１は、テーパ面が取付孔Ｈの孔縁後部により押圧されることでその傾斜に案内されて内方へ撓まされるようになっている（図６）。なお図１の上側の固定係止部３０と弾性係止部３１は、上下位置がほぼ同じとされているが、下側の固定係止部３０が検知部材収容部２９に連結されるのに対し、下側の弾性係止部３１がそれよりも上方位置に配されている。
【００２４】
弾性係止部３１の内面側には、弾性係止部３１が撓み易くなるように溝部３３が形成されており、この溝部３３には、弾性係止部３１が自然状態のときは雌ハウジング１０の撓み規制部１７の進入が許容される一方、弾性係止部３１が内方へ撓まされた状態では撓み規制部１７の進入が規制されるようになっている。そして、撓み規制部１７が溝部３３内に進入することで弾性係止部３１の撓みが規制されるようになっている（図２１）。なお、溝部３３を含めた弾性係止部３１よりも内方の所定空間が弾性係止部３１の撓みを許容する撓み空間となっている。
【００２５】
検知部材収容部２９は、図１及び図３に示すように、貫通部２８の短辺部分から長辺方向に沿って張り出す前後一対の前壁３４及び後壁３５を備え、両壁３４，３５のうち図１の下端部と右側端部とがそれぞれ側壁３６とストッパ壁３７とにより連結されることで、全体として図１の左側へ開口する袋状に形成されている。雄ハウジング２０がパネルＰに取り付けられると、検知部材収容部２９のうち前壁３４がパネルＰの表側へ突出するのに対し、後壁３５は、その前面がパネルＰの表面Ｐｂとほぼ面一となる位置に配されるようになっている（図９）。そして、検知部材収容部２９内には、図１の左側から検知部材５０が収容されるようになっている。
【００２６】
検知部材５０は、全体が略長方形の板状に形成され、検知部材収容部２９内において両壁３４，３５に挟まれた状態で雄ハウジング２０の短辺方向、言い換えるとパネルＰに対する雄ハウジング２０の取付方向と略直交する方向（＝パネルＰの平面方向）に沿って図１の左右（図３の上下）に移動可能とされている。検知部材５０のうち図１の右寄り（図３の下寄り）の位置には、一対のスリットを入れることで撓み変形可能な両持ち状の保持アーム５１が設けられており、その後面側には保持アーム５１を撓み易くするための溝５２が形成されている。保持アーム５１の前面には、保持突部５３が設けられており、この保持突部５３が検知部材収容部２９の前壁３４に穿設された待機位置用保持孔３８と検知位置用保持孔３９とに係止されることで、検知部材５０が図９及び図１０に示す待機位置と図１１及び図１２に示す検知位置との２位置に保持されるようになっている。この保持突部５３は、各保持孔３８，３９に係止される両側面が傾斜面となった山形に形成されているので、検知部材５０に対して所定以上の操作力を付与することで各保持孔３８，３９との係止状態を解除しつつ保持アーム５１が撓まされて検知部材５０を移動できるようになっている。
【００２７】
検知部材５０は、待機位置では、図９及び図１０に示すように、その全体が検知部材収容部２９内に収められるとともにストッパ壁３７により図１０の右側（図９の下側）への遊動が規制される。一方、検知位置では、図１１及び図１２に示すように、検知部材５０の図１２の左端部（図１１の上端部）が検知部材収容部２９から図１２の左側（弾性係止部３１側）へ突出されるようになっており、この突出部分が検知部５４とされている。この検知部５４は、雄ハウジング２０がパネルＰに対して正規に取り付けられて始めてその全体がパネルＰの表側に突出する。従って、雄ハウジング２０をパネルＰに取り付ける途中の段階では、検知部５４が取付孔Ｈ内に配されているため、検知部材５０を検知位置側へ移動させようとしても検知部５４が取付孔Ｈの内周面に干渉することで検知位置までの移動が規制される（図１３）。一方、雄ハウジング２０がパネルＰに正規に取り付けられると、検知部５４がパネルＰの表側に突出して取付孔Ｈの内周面とは非干渉となるので、検知部材５０を検知位置まで移動するのが許容される。この検知位置では、検知部５４は、固定係止部３０側とは反対の弾性係止部３１側においてパネルＰの表面Ｐｂに係止されることでフランジ２７との間でパネルＰを挟み込むようになっている。
【００２８】
検知部５４の先端部後面側には、図３に示すように、後方に向かって下り勾配をなす案内面５５が形成されている。この案内面５５は、雄ハウジング２０をパネルＰに取り付ける途中において、検知部５４のうち前端部のみがパネルＰの表側に突出した段階にて検知部材５０を検知位置側へ移動させようとしたときに取付孔Ｈの孔縁前部に当接可能とされている（図１４）。そして、検知部材５０を検知位置へと移動させるのに伴って、案内面５５と取付孔Ｈの孔縁前部とが摺接されることで、雄ハウジング２０が正規に取付状態へと引き込まれて矯正されるようになっている。
【００２９】
検知部材５０の前面のうち保持アーム５１と検知部５４との間には、図１に示すように、検知部材５０を移動操作するための操作部５６が前方へ突出して設けられている。操作部５６は、検知部材５０を検知部材収容部２９内に収容すると前壁３４に形成された切欠部４０を通してその前方へ突出し、雄ハウジング２０をパネルＰに取り付けられると、パネルＰの表側に突出される。従って、パネルＰの表側から操作部５６を押圧操作することで検知部材５０を移動できるようになっている。また操作部５６における図３の下面は、操作時に指などを引っ掛け易くなるよう階段状に形成されている。
【００３０】
本実施形態は以上のような構造であり、続いてその作用について説明する。まず検知部材収容部２９内に検知部材５０を待機位置に取り付けておき、図４及び図５に示すように、パネルＰの裏側に配した雄ハウジング２０をパネルＰに取り付けるようにする。この取り付け作業は、ドアのパネルＰの裏側には十分な作業スペースを確保できないという都合から、パネルＰの表側に居る作業者がパネルＰの裏側に手を回して、いわばパネル越しに雄ハウジング２０を掴んで行うようにしている。
【００３１】
取り付けに際しては、雄ハウジング２０をその短辺方向に関して傾けて後傾姿勢としつつ両固定係止部３０を先に取付孔Ｈに通過させるとともにパネルＰの表面Ｐｂに引っ掛けておく。この状態から固定係止部３０とパネルＰとの引っ掛け部分を支点として、雄ハウジング２０を真直な姿勢へと回動させると、図６に示すように、弾性係止部３１のテーパ面が取付孔Ｈの孔縁後部により押圧されることで弾性係止部３１が撓み変形されつつ取付孔Ｈを潜り抜ける。この過程では、図７に示すように、待機位置とした検知部材５０が取付孔Ｈを通過していく。そして、雄ハウジング２０が真直な姿勢に達するのに伴って、図８に示すように、フランジ２７が全域にわたってパネルＰの裏面Ｐａに当接するとともに、係止爪３２が完全に取付孔Ｈを通過するのに伴い弾性係止部３１が復帰し、係止爪３２がパネルＰの表面Ｐｂに係止される。これにより、フランジ２７と固定係止部３０及び弾性係止部３１の係止爪３２との間にパネルＰを挟んだ状態で雄ハウジング２０がパネルＰに対して正規の取り付け状態に保持される。
【００３２】
このとき、貫通部２８及び検知部材収容部２９が取付孔Ｈに嵌合・貫通しており、図９及び図１０に示すように、後壁３５の前面がパネルＰの表面Ｐｂとほぼ面一になるとともに検知部材５０が取付孔Ｈを完全に通過してパネルＰの表側に配される。この状態でパネルＰの表側から操作部５６を押圧して検知部材５０を検知位置へと操作すると、検知部５４が取付孔Ｈの内周面とは非干渉となっているから、図１１及び図１２に示すように、検知部材５０を検知位置まで移動させることができる。これをもって、雄ハウジング２０がパネルＰに対して正規に取り付けられたことが検知される。この検知位置では、検知部５４がパネルＰの表面Ｐｂのうち固定係止部３０側ではなく弾性係止部３１側に係止される。従って、正規の取り付け状態において、仮に弾性係止部３１が他部品の干渉などにより不用意に撓まされてその係止状態が誤解除された場合でも、検知部５４が固定的にパネルＰに係止されているから、固定係止部３０と共に雄ハウジング２０をパネルＰに対してしっかりと保持することができる。
【００３３】
一方、雄ハウジング２０をパネルＰに取り付ける際には、必ずしも正規に取り付けられるとは限らず、図７に示すような雄ハウジング２０が取り付け途中の状態であるにも拘わらず、作業者が正規に取り付けられたと勘違いする場合がある。その場合に検知部材５０を検知位置へと移動させようとしても、図１３に示すように、検知部材５０は、僅かに移動したところで検知部５４が取付孔Ｈの内周面に突き当たるために検知位置まで移動させることができない。これをもって雄ハウジング２０が未だ取り付け途中の状態であることが検知されるので、改めて雄ハウジング２０を正規に取り付けるようにする。このように検知部材５０を検知位置まで移動できるか否かに基づいて雄ハウジング２０のパネルＰに対する取付状態を検知することができる。
【００３４】
また、雄ハウジング２０がパネルＰに対して正規に取り付けられる直前であって検知部５４の前端部のみがパネルＰの表側に突出した状態で、検知部材５０を検知位置へと移動させようとした場合には、図１４に示すように、検知部材５０が所定距離移動したところで案内面５５が取付孔Ｈの孔縁前部に当接される。そして、検知部材５０を検知位置へとさらに押し込むのに伴って、案内面５５と取付孔Ｈの孔縁前部とが摺接されることで、雄ハウジング２０が引き込まれて図１１に示す正規の取付状態へと矯正される。この場合は、改めて雄ハウジング２０の取付作業を行う必要がないので、作業性が良好となっている。
【００３５】
次に、上記のようにしてパネルＰに取り付けられた雄ハウジング２０に対して、図１６及び図１７に示すように、パネルＰの表側から雌ハウジング１０を嵌合する作業を行う。図１８に示すように、雌ハウジング１０をフード部２３内に所定深さまで嵌合させてから、レバー１２を初期位置から反時計回り方向へ回動させる。レバー１２を回動させるのに伴って、図１９に示すように、引っ掛け部１５が引っ掛け受け部２４に係合することで、てこ作用が発揮されて両ハウジング１０，２０の嵌合が次第に深められる。そして、図２０に示すように、レバー１２が嵌合位置に達すると、両ハウジング１０，２０が正規深さまで嵌合されるとともに、嵌合凸部２５が嵌合凹部１６に嵌合されることで両ハウジング１０，２０が正規嵌合状態にロックされる。この過程では、図２１及び図２２に示すように、雌ハウジング１０の撓み規制部１７が弾性係止部３１の内側の溝部３３内に進入することで、弾性係止部３１の撓みが規制される。これにより弾性係止部３１が不用意に撓み変形するのを防ぐことができるから、両ハウジング１０，２０の嵌合状態において雄ハウジング２０をパネルＰに対してしっかりと保持することができる。
【００３６】
ところで、この雄ハウジング２０では、スペースの都合などの事情により長辺方向の一端側にのみ検知部材５０を取り付けるようにしている。このため、雄ハウジング２０をパネルＰに取り付ける際に、固定係止部３０及び弾性係止部３１の係止爪３２とパネルＰとのクリアランスによって雄ハウジング２０がその長辺方向に関して傾いた姿勢のまま取り付けられた場合には、雄ハウジング２０のうち検知部材５０を取り付けた側が正規に取り付けられて検知部材５０を検知位置へ移動できるにも拘わらず、その反対側が不完全な取付状態となっている可能性がある。つまり、検知部材５０寄りの弾性係止部３１の係止爪３２がパネルＰに係止しているのに対し、もう片方の弾性係止部３１が撓んだままとされる事態を検知できないおそれがある。
【００３７】
ところが、このような不完全な取り付けの状態の雄ハウジング２０に対して雌ハウジング１０を嵌合させようとすると、図２３に示すように、撓んだ弾性係止部３１が溝部３３内に配されているので、撓み規制部１７がその弾性係止部３１に突き当たることで、両ハウジング１０，２０の嵌合動作が規制される。これをもって、弾性係止部３１が撓んだままであり雄ハウジング２０がパネルＰに対して正規に取り付けられていないことが検知されるので、改めて雄ハウジング２０を正規に取り付けた後に再度雌ハウジング１０の嵌合作業を行うようにする。このように両ハウジング１０，２０が嵌合できるか否かによって雄ハウジング２０のパネルＰに対する取付状態を検知することができる。逆に言うと、両ハウジング１０，２０が嵌合した状態では、雄ハウジング２０が確実にパネルＰに対して正規に取り付けられていることが保証されることになる。
【００３８】
以上説明したように本実施形態によれば、検知部材５０を検知位置まで移動できるか否かに基づいて雄ハウジング２０のパネルＰに対する取付状態を検知することができるので、パネルＰに対して雄ハウジング２０が取り付け途中の状態のまま放置されるのを防ぐことができる。
【００３９】
しかも、取付孔Ｈの内周面が検知部材５０の検知部５４に干渉してその移動を規制する規制部を構成しており、言い換えるとパネルＰにおける既存構造である取付孔Ｈを利用して検知部材５０の移動規制を行うようにしているから、仮に別途規制部をパネルＰに設ける場合と比較して、パネルＰの構造も簡単となり低コストとすることができる。
【００４０】
さらには、検知部材５０が検知位置に達すると、検知部５４がパネルＰの表面Ｐｂに係止されるから、雄ハウジング２０をパネルＰに対して強固に保持することができる。しかも、検知部５４がパネルＰのうち固定係止部３０側ではなく弾性係止部３１側に係止するようになっているから、取付状態において仮に弾性係止部３１が不用意に撓んでその係止状態が解除されたとしても、検知部５４が固定的に係止された状態に保たれるから、雄ハウジング２０のパネルＰに対する保持状態を安定したものに保つことができる。
【００４１】
また、作業スペースの都合などにより、パネルＰの表側に居る作業者がパネル越しに雄ハウジング２０をパネルＰの裏側から取り付ける場合であっても、検知部材５０の操作部５６をパネルＰの表側、すなわち作業者側から目視しつつ操作することができるから、仮に操作部をパネルの裏側から操作するようにした場合には、操作部を殆ど目視することができず、また操作状況も専ら作業者の指先の感覚に頼らざるを得ないのに比較して、本実施形態によれば検知部材５０の操作性を良好なものとすることができる。
【００４２】
また、検知部５４に案内面５５を設けるようにしたから、雄ハウジング２０がパネルＰに対して正規に取り付けられる直前とされた場合には、検知部材５０を検知位置へ押し込む動作を利用して雄ハウジング２０を正規の取付状態に矯正することができ、作業性が良好となる。
【００４３】
また、雄ハウジング２０がパネルＰに対して正規に取り付けられていれば、雄ハウジング２０の弾性係止部３１の内側に設けた溝部３３に対して雌ハウジング１０の撓み規制部１７が進入されることで両ハウジング１０，２０の嵌合動作が許容される一方、雄ハウジング２０がパネルＰに対して取り付け途中の状態であれば、撓んだ弾性係止部３１に対して撓み規制部１７が突き当たることで溝部３３へ進入できず、両ハウジング１０，２０の嵌合動作が規制される。つまり、両ハウジング１０，２０が嵌合できるか否かに基づいてパネルＰに対する雄ハウジング２０の取付状態を検知することができる。しかも、嵌合状態では撓み規制部１７により弾性係止部３１の撓みを規制できるから、パネルＰに対する雄ハウジング２０の保持を安定したものとすることができる。
【００４４】
＜他の実施形態＞
本発明は上記記述及び図面によって説明した実施形態に限定されるものではなく、例えば次のような実施形態も本発明の技術的範囲に含まれ、さらに、下記以外にも要旨を逸脱しない範囲内で種々変更して実施することができる。
（１）上記した実施形態では、検知部材が雄ハウジングの短辺方向に沿って移動されるものを示したが、検知部材が雄ハウジングの長辺方向に沿って移動するものや斜め方向に移動するものも本発明に含まれる。
【００４５】
（２）上記した実施形態では、検知部が取付孔の内周面に突き当たるまでに検知部材が待機位置から僅かに検知位置側に移動されるものを示したが、検知部の長さ寸法などを調整することで、検知部材が待機位置から殆ど移動することなく検知部が取付孔の内周面に突き当たるようにしてもよい。このようにすれば、検知部材を移動できるか否かによって雄ハウジングの取付状態を検知できるから、検知精度を向上させることができる。
【００４７】
（４）上記した実施形態では、検知部材の操作部がパネルの表側に突出するものを示したが、操作部がパネルの裏側に配されて裏側から操作するものも本発明に含まれる。
（５）上記した実施形態では、検知部材を雄ハウジングの長辺方向の一端側にのみ取り付けた場合を示したが、スペースに余裕がある場合には、検知部材を雄ハウジングにおける長手方向両端部に一対取り付けるようにしてもよい。このようにすれば、雄ハウジングが長手方向に関して傾いた姿勢で取り付けられた場合でも雄ハウジングが取り付け途中であることを確実に検知することができる。
【００４８】
（６）上記した実施形態では、雄ハウジングの弾性係止部の内側に溝部を設け、雌ハウジングに撓み規制部を突設した場合を示したが、弾性係止部の溝部を省略するとともに、雌ハウジングの外面によって弾性係止部の撓み規制を行うようにしてもよい。
（７）上記した実施形態では、パネルに雄ハウジングを取り付けるものを示したが、パネルに雌ハウジングを取り付けるものにも本発明を同様に適用することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施形態に係る雄ハウジングと検知部材の正面図
【図２】雄ハウジングにおける図１のＡ−Ａ線断面図
【図３】雄ハウジングと検知部材における図１のＢ−Ｂ線断面図
【図４】雄ハウジングとパネルにおける図１のＣ−Ｃ線断面図
【図５】検知部材を待機位置に取り付けた雄ハウジングとパネルにおける図１のＢ−Ｂ線断面図
【図６】パネルに雄ハウジングを取り付ける途中の状態を示す図１のＣ−Ｃ線断面図
【図７】パネルに雄ハウジングを取り付ける途中の状態を示す図１のＢ−Ｂ線断面図
【図８】パネルに雄ハウジングが正規に取り付けられた状態を示す図１のＣ−Ｃ線断面図
【図９】パネルに雄ハウジングが正規に取り付けられた状態を示す図１のＢ−Ｂ線断面図
【図１０】パネルに雄ハウジングが正規に取り付けられた状態を示す正面図
【図１１】検知部材を検知位置まで移動させた状態を示す図１のＢ−Ｂ線断面図
【図１２】検知部材を検知位置まで移動させた状態を示す正面図
【図１３】検知部が取付孔の内周面に干渉した状態を示す図１のＢ−Ｂ線断面図
【図１４】案内面が取付孔の孔縁前部に当接した状態を示す図１のＢ−Ｂ線断面図
【図１５】雌ハウジングの正面図
【図１６】パネルに取り付けた雄ハウジングとレバーを初期位置に装着した雌ハウジングの平面図
【図１７】図１６のＤ−Ｄ線断面図
【図１８】両ハウジングを所定深さ嵌合させた状態を示す平面図
【図１９】レバーを回動する途中の状態を示す平面図
【図２０】レバーが嵌合位置まで回動した状態を示す平面図
【図２１】図２０のＤ−Ｄ線断面図
【図２２】パネルに取り付けられた雄ハウジングに雌ハウジングが嵌合した状態を示す正面図
【図２３】撓んだ弾性係止部に雌ハウジングの撓み規制部が突き当たった状態を示す断面図
【図２４】従来例の側面図
【符号の説明】
１０…雌ハウジング（相手のコネクタハウジング）
１７…撓み規制部
２０…雄ハウジング（コネクタハウジング）
２７…フランジ（突き当て部、保持手段）
３０…固定係止部（保持手段）
３１…弾性係止部（保持手段）
３３…溝部（撓み空間）
５０…検知部材（検知手段）
５４…検知部
５５…案内面
５６…操作部
Ｐ…パネル
Ｐａ…裏面（パネルのうちコネクタハウジングが取り付けられる側の面）
Ｐｂ…表面（パネルのうち前記コネクタハウジングが取り付けられる側とは反対側の面）
Ｈ…取付孔[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connector attached to a panel.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, what was described in Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 8-293352 is known as an example of the connector attached to the door panel of a motor vehicle. 24. As shown in FIG. 24, the housing 1 is attached while penetrating through a mounting hole H provided in the panel P so as to be opened. In contrast, the panel P is held by the locking portion 3 and the flange 2 by causing the locking portion 3 to pass through the attachment hole H and then locking to the left surface of the panel P while contacting the flange 2 provided on the housing 1. Thus, the housing 1 is held in an attached state with respect to the panel P.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when attaching the housing 1 to the panel P, the operator may mistakenly assume that the housing 1 has been properly attached even though the housing 1 is being attached, and may end the work. In the state in the middle of the attachment, the housing 1 is not firmly fixed to the panel P. Therefore, it is a problem that the housing 1 is left as it is.
The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to prevent the connector housing from being left in the middle of attachment to the panel.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  As a means for achieving the above object, the invention of claim 1 includes a connector housing that is attached in a state of being penetrated through an attachment hole that is provided in an opening in the panel. A holding means for holding the connector housing in an attached state is provided with a detecting means for detecting whether or not the connector housing is properly attached to the panel,The detection means is assembled to the connector housing and is movable toward the detection position along a direction intersecting the mounting direction of the connector housing with respect to the panel. The detection means is provided on the panel side and provided on the detection member. And a restricting portion capable of interfering with the detected detecting portion, and the restricting portion is constituted by an inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole, and when the connector housing is being attached to the panel, the detecting portion is attached to the attaching portion. The movement of the detection member to the detection position is restricted by interfering with the inner peripheral surface of the hole, and when the connector housing is properly attached, the detection part passes through the attachment hole and becomes non-interfering to detect the detection member. It can be moved to a position, and after the movement, the detection unit is on the opposite side of the panel to the side where the connector housing is attached. And adapted to be engaged with the surface,
In addition, the holding means is engaged with an abutting portion capable of abutting on a surface of the panel where the connector housing is attached and a surface of the panel opposite to the side where the connector housing is attached. A fixing locking portion and an elastic locking portion that sandwich the panel with the abutting portion are provided, and when the connector housing is mounted, the fixing locking portion is first passed through the mounting hole and locked to the panel. After that, the elastic locking portion is bent by the hole edge of the mounting hole while passing through the mounting hole and locked to the panel, and the detection member is fixed to the elastic locking portion from the fixed locking portion side. The detection unit is moved to the part side, reaches the detection position, and the detection part is locked to the elastic locking part side of the panel. Further, the detection part includes the connector housing. When the detection member is to be moved to the detection position just before it is properly attached, the guide surface can be slidably contacted with the edge of the attachment hole to correct the connector housing to the normal attachment state. Is providedHowever, it has characteristics.
[0005]
  The invention of claim 2 is the one described in claim 1,In the case where the connector housing is attached from the back side of the panel, the detection member is provided with an operation portion that enables a movement operation from the front side of the panel.However, it has characteristics.
[0006]
  The invention of claim 3In the thing of Claim 1 or Claim 2, in the other connector housing which can be fitted with respect to the connector housing of the state attached to the panel, it is in the said bending space with fitting of both connector housings. Provided with a bend restrictor that can be enteredHowever, it has characteristics.
[0012]
[Action and effect of the invention]
  <Invention of Claim 1>
  When the connector housing is properly attached to the panel, the connector housing is held to the panel by the holding means. On the other hand, when the mounting operation is stopped in the middle of the mounting, the holding by the holding means is incomplete.
  In the middle of attaching the connector housing to the panel, the detection member is arranged in the attachment hole and interferes with the inner peripheral surface of the detection member, thereby restricting the movement of the detection member. When the connector housing is properly attached, the detection portion passes through the attachment hole and does not interfere with the inner peripheral surface. Thus, the attachment state of the connector housing to the panel can be detected based on whether or not the detection member can be moved to the detection position. In this case, since the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole, which is an existing structure, is used as the restricting portion, it is not necessary to provide a special structure dedicated to the restricting portion on the panel, and the cost can be reduced.
And since the detection part of a detection member is latched in addition to a holding means, a connector housing can be hold | maintained more firmly with respect to a panel.
When the connector housing is attached to the attachment hole, the connector housing is held in a state where the panel is sandwiched between the abutting portion, the fixed locking portion, and the elastic locking portion. When the detection member is moved to the detection position, the detection portion is locked not to the fixed locking portion side but to the elastic locking portion side of the panel, so that the elastic locking portion is unexpectedly bent and locked. Even when the state is released, the holding state of the connector housing with respect to the panel can be kept stable.
In addition, since the guide surface is provided in the detection unit, the connector housing in the middle of attachment can be corrected to a normal attachment state by using the operation of moving the detection member to the detection position, and workability is improved. It becomes good.
[0013]
  <Invention of Claim 2>
  Even when the connector housing is mounted from the back side of the panel, the detection member can be moved from the front side of the panel, that is, from the operator side..
[0014]
  <Invention of Claim 3>
  When the connector housing is properly attached to the panel, the elastic locking part is retracted from the bending space and the panel is sandwiched between the abutting part, so when the mating connector housing is fitted in this state When the bending restricting portion enters the bending space, the fitting operation is allowed and the bending of the elastic locking portion is restricted. On the other hand, when the connector housing is in the process of being attached to the panel, the elastic locking portion is bent and is arranged in the bending space. The fitting operation is restricted by hitting the elastic locking part in a state where the restricting part is bent.
In this way, the attachment state of the connector housing to the panel can be detected based on whether or not the mating connector housing can be fitted to the connector housing. In addition, in the fitted state, the bending of the elastic locking portion can be regulated by the deflection regulating portion, so that the connector housing can be stably held with respect to the panel.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, a connector attached to a door panel of an automobile is shown. This is attached in a state in which a male connector housing 20 (hereinafter simply referred to as a male housing 20) passes through a mounting hole H formed in the panel P from the back side of the panel P. On the other hand, a female connector housing 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as a female housing 10) is fitted from the front side of the panel P. In the following description, the mounting direction of the male housing 20 with respect to the panel P is assumed to be the front.
[0019]
The female housing 10 is made of synthetic resin, and is formed in a substantially block shape as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, and a plurality of cavities 11 that can accommodate female terminal fittings (not shown) are provided side by side. It has been. A pair of shaft pins 13 for pivotally supporting a lever 12 having a substantially U-shaped cross section is provided on the outer side of the long side of the female housing 10, and the shaft of the lever 12 to which the shaft pin 13 is fitted is provided. Around the hole 14, a hook portion 15 for hooking on the hook receiving portion 24 on the male housing 20 side and a fitting concave portion 16 for fitting the fitting convex portion 25 are provided. After the housings 10 and 20 are fitted to some extent, the lever 12 is turned about 90 degrees counterclockwise from the initial position shown in FIG. 18 to the fitting position shown in FIG. The two housings 10 and 20 are engaged with each other to a normal depth by the lever action. A pair of bending restricting portions 17 that are formed one step higher and extend along the front-rear direction are provided on the right outer surface of the female housing 10 in FIG. With the fitting of 10 and 20, it is possible to enter into a groove portion 33 provided in an elastic locking portion 31 described later.
[0020]
The male housing 20 is made of synthetic resin, and, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a terminal having a plurality of chambers 21 at positions corresponding to the female housing 10 side that can accommodate male terminal fittings (not shown). The housing portion 22 and a hood portion 23 that is formed in a substantially rectangular tube shape protruding forward from the terminal housing portion 22 and into which the female housing 10 can be fitted from the front are provided. On the inner surface of the long side portion of the hood portion 23, a hook receiving portion 24 and a fitting convex portion 25 both projecting inward are formed side by side. In the long side portion of the hood portion 23, a die-cutting hole 26 for punching out the hook receiving portion 24 and the fitting convex portion 25 when the male housing 20 is molded is provided to open sideways. The positional relationship between the hook receiving portion 24 and the fitting convex portion 25 and the hooking portion 15 and the fitting concave portion 16 of the lever 12 can be visually recognized from the outside through the punching hole 26.
[0021]
The outer peripheral surface at a position slightly rearward of the front end of the hood portion 23 is in contact with the rear surface Pa of the panel P (the surface of the panel P on which the male housing 20 is attached) as the male housing 20 is attached to the panel P. A contactable flange 27 is provided so as to protrude. A portion of the hood portion 23 that protrudes forward from the flange 27 is a penetration portion 28 that fits and penetrates the attachment hole H when protruding to the panel P and protrudes to the front side of the panel P. A detection member accommodating portion 29 capable of accommodating the detection member 50 is connected to the lower side of the through portion 28 in FIG. 1, and the detection member accommodating portion 29 is also fitted in the attachment hole H together with the through portion 28. It is inserted and penetrated so as to protrude to the front side of the panel P. Further, the flange 27 is provided so as to surround the periphery of the detection member accommodating portion 29.
[0022]
A pair of fixed locking portions 30 projecting from the front end outer surface of the long side portion on the right side of FIG. 1 in the penetrating portion 28 so as to face the flange 27 are provided, while the long side portion on the left side of FIG. A pair of cantilevered elastic locking portions 31 are provided by inserting slits. The elastic locking portion 31 can be deformed inwardly along the short side direction of the male housing 20, and as shown in FIG. 4, a locking claw 32 facing the flange 27 is formed from the outer surface of the front end. Projected. On the front surface side of the elastic locking portion 31 and the locking claw 32, a tapered surface that forms an upward gradient toward the rear is formed.
[0023]
When the male housing 20 is attached to the panel P, the locking claw 32 of the fixed locking portion 30 and the elastic locking portion 31 passes through the mounting hole H and then the surface Pb of the panel P (the male housing 20 of the panel P The panel P can be sandwiched between the flange 27 and the flange 27 (FIG. 8). In this attachment process, the elastic locking portion 31 is bent inwardly by being guided by its inclination when the tapered surface is pressed by the hole edge rear portion of the attachment hole H (FIG. 6). The upper fixed locking portion 30 and the elastic locking portion 31 in FIG. 1 are substantially the same in the vertical position, but the lower fixed locking portion 30 is connected to the detection member accommodating portion 29. On the other hand, the lower elastic locking portion 31 is arranged at an upper position.
[0024]
A groove portion 33 is formed on the inner surface side of the elastic locking portion 31 so that the elastic locking portion 31 is easily bent. The female housing 10 is formed in the groove portion 33 when the elastic locking portion 31 is in a natural state. Is allowed to enter, while the elastic locking portion 31 is bent inward, the entry of the bending restricting portion 17 is restricted. And the bending of the elastic latching | locking part 31 is controlled because the bending control part 17 approachs in the groove part 33 (FIG. 21). A predetermined space inside the elastic locking portion 31 including the groove portion 33 is a bending space that allows the elastic locking portion 31 to be bent.
[0025]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the detection member accommodating portion 29 includes a pair of front and rear front walls 34 and a rear wall 35 protruding from the short side portion of the penetrating portion 28 along the long side direction. The lower end portion and the right end portion of FIG. 1 are connected by a side wall 36 and a stopper wall 37, respectively, so as to form a bag shape that opens to the left side of FIG. When the male housing 20 is attached to the panel P, the front wall 34 of the detection member accommodating portion 29 protrudes to the front side of the panel P, while the front surface of the rear wall 35 is substantially flush with the surface Pb of the panel P. (Fig. 9). And the detection member 50 is accommodated in the detection member accommodating part 29 from the left side of FIG.
[0026]
The detection member 50 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape as a whole, and is sandwiched between both walls 34 and 35 in the detection member housing portion 29, in other words, in the short side direction of the male housing 20, in other words, the male housing 20 with respect to the panel P. 1 can be moved to the left and right in FIG. 1 (up and down in FIG. 3) along a direction (= plane direction of the panel P) substantially orthogonal to the mounting direction. A detection arm 50 is provided at a position on the right side in FIG. 1 (lower side in FIG. 3) with a double-sided holding arm 51 that can be bent and deformed by inserting a pair of slits. A groove 52 is formed to facilitate bending of the holding arm 51. A holding projection 53 is provided on the front surface of the holding arm 51, and the holding projection 53 is formed in the front wall 34 of the detection member accommodating portion 29 and a detection position holding hole 38. The detection member 50 is held at two positions, that is, the standby position shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 and the detection position shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. Since the holding projection 53 is formed in a mountain shape in which both side surfaces locked to the holding holes 38 and 39 are inclined surfaces, by applying an operating force of a predetermined level or more to the detection member 50. The holding arm 51 is bent while releasing the locked state with the holding holes 38 and 39 so that the detection member 50 can be moved.
[0027]
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the entire detection member 50 is accommodated in the detection member accommodating portion 29 and is moved to the right side in FIG. 10 (lower side in FIG. 9) by the stopper wall 37 at the standby position. Is regulated. On the other hand, at the detection position, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the left end portion (upper end portion in FIG. 11) of the detection member 50 is located on the left side (elastic locking portion 31 side) of FIG. ), And this protruding portion is the detection unit 54. The detection unit 54 protrudes to the front side of the panel P only after the male housing 20 is properly attached to the panel P. Accordingly, in the middle of attaching the male housing 20 to the panel P, the detection portion 54 is disposed in the attachment hole H. Therefore, even if the detection member 50 is moved to the detection position side, the detection portion 54 is attached to the attachment hole H. The movement to the detection position is restricted by interfering with the inner peripheral surface of the lens (FIG. 13). On the other hand, when the male housing 20 is properly attached to the panel P, the detection portion 54 protrudes to the front side of the panel P and does not interfere with the inner peripheral surface of the attachment hole H, so the detection member 50 is moved to the detection position. Is allowed. At this detection position, the detection unit 54 is held by the surface Pb of the panel P on the elastic locking unit 31 side opposite to the fixed locking unit 30 side, thereby sandwiching the panel P with the flange 27. It has become.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 3, a guide surface 55 is formed on the rear surface side of the front end of the detection unit 54. When the male housing 20 is attached to the panel P, the guide surface 55 moves the detection member 50 toward the detection position when only the front end of the detection unit 54 protrudes to the front side of the panel P. It is possible to contact the front edge of the mounting hole H (FIG. 14). Then, as the detection member 50 is moved to the detection position, the male housing 20 is normally pulled into the attachment state by the sliding contact between the guide surface 55 and the hole edge front portion of the attachment hole H. Have been corrected.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 1, an operation portion 56 for moving the detection member 50 is provided so as to protrude forward between the holding arm 51 and the detection portion 54 in the front surface of the detection member 50. When the operation member 56 accommodates the detection member 50 in the detection member accommodating portion 29, the operation portion 56 projects forward through the notch 40 formed in the front wall 34, and when the male housing 20 is attached to the panel P, the operation portion 56 faces the front side of the panel P. Protruding. Accordingly, the detection member 50 can be moved by pressing the operation portion 56 from the front side of the panel P. Further, the lower surface of FIG. 3 in the operation unit 56 is formed in a stepped shape so that a finger or the like can be easily caught during operation.
[0030]
The present embodiment has the above-described structure, and the operation thereof will be described subsequently. First, the detection member 50 is attached to the standby position in the detection member accommodating portion 29, and the male housing 20 disposed on the back side of the panel P is attached to the panel P as shown in FIGS. For this mounting operation, a worker on the front side of the panel P turns his hand to the back side of the panel P because of the fact that a sufficient working space cannot be secured on the back side of the panel P of the door. To grab and do.
[0031]
When mounting, the male housing 20 is tilted with respect to the short side direction so as to be tilted backward, and both the fixing and locking portions 30 are first passed through the mounting holes H and hooked on the surface Pb of the panel P. From this state, when the male housing 20 is rotated to a straight posture with the hook portion between the fixed locking portion 30 and the panel P as a fulcrum, the tapered surface of the elastic locking portion 31 is attached as shown in FIG. By being pressed by the hole edge rear part of the hole H, the elastic locking part 31 is bent and deformed and passes through the attachment hole H. In this process, as shown in FIG. 7, the detection member 50 in the standby position passes through the attachment hole H. Then, as the male housing 20 reaches a straight posture, the flange 27 comes into contact with the back surface Pa of the panel P over the entire area and the locking claw 32 completely passes through the mounting hole H as shown in FIG. As a result, the elastic locking portion 31 is restored and the locking claw 32 is locked to the surface Pb of the panel P. As a result, the male housing 20 is held in a properly attached state with respect to the panel P in a state where the panel P is sandwiched between the flange 27 and the locking claw 32 of the fixed locking portion 30 and the elastic locking portion 31. .
[0032]
At this time, the penetrating portion 28 and the detection member accommodating portion 29 are fitted and penetrated into the mounting hole H, and the front surface of the rear wall 35 is substantially flush with the surface Pb of the panel P as shown in FIGS. And the detection member 50 passes through the mounting hole H and is disposed on the front side of the panel P. In this state, when the operation unit 56 is pressed from the front side of the panel P and the detection member 50 is operated to the detection position, the detection unit 54 does not interfere with the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole H. As shown in FIG. 12, the detection member 50 can be moved to the detection position. With this, it is detected that the male housing 20 is properly attached to the panel P. At this detection position, the detection portion 54 is locked to the elastic locking portion 31 side, not the fixed locking portion 30 side, of the surface Pb of the panel P. Therefore, even if the elastic locking portion 31 is inadvertently bent due to interference of other parts in the normal mounting state and the locking state is erroneously released, the detection portion 54 is fixedly attached to the panel P. Since it is locked, the male housing 20 can be firmly held against the panel P together with the fixed locking portion 30.
[0033]
On the other hand, when the male housing 20 is attached to the panel P, the male housing 20 is not always properly attached. Even though the male housing 20 as shown in FIG. May be mistaken for attached. In this case, even if the detection member 50 is moved to the detection position, as shown in FIG. 13, the detection member 50 is detected because the detection unit 54 abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole H when it moves slightly. It cannot be moved to a position. As a result, it is detected that the male housing 20 is still in the middle of attachment, so that the male housing 20 is attached normally again. Thus, the attachment state with respect to the panel P of the male housing 20 is detectable based on whether the detection member 50 can be moved to a detection position.
[0034]
Further, the detection member 50 is moved to the detection position immediately before the male housing 20 is properly attached to the panel P and only the front end portion of the detection unit 54 protrudes to the front side of the panel P. In this case, as shown in FIG. 14, the guide surface 55 is brought into contact with the hole edge front portion of the attachment hole H when the detection member 50 moves a predetermined distance. Then, as the detection member 50 is further pushed into the detection position, the male housing 20 is drawn by the sliding contact between the guide surface 55 and the front edge of the mounting hole H, and the normal state shown in FIG. It is corrected to the mounting state. In this case, since it is not necessary to perform the work of attaching the male housing 20 again, workability is good.
[0035]
Next, an operation of fitting the female housing 10 from the front side of the panel P is performed on the male housing 20 attached to the panel P as described above, as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 18, after the female housing 10 is fitted into the hood portion 23 to a predetermined depth, the lever 12 is rotated counterclockwise from the initial position. As the lever 12 is rotated, as shown in FIG. 19, the hook portion 15 engages with the hook receiving portion 24, so that the lever action is exerted and the fitting between the housings 10 and 20 is gradually deepened. It is done. As shown in FIG. 20, when the lever 12 reaches the fitting position, both the housings 10 and 20 are fitted to the normal depth, and the fitting convex part 25 is fitted into the fitting concave part 16. Thus, both the housings 10 and 20 are locked in the normal fitting state. In this process, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the bending restricting portion 17 of the female housing 10 enters the groove 33 inside the elastic locking portion 31, whereby the bending of the elastic locking portion 31 is restricted. The As a result, the elastic locking portion 31 can be prevented from being bent and deformed inadvertently, so that the male housing 20 can be firmly held against the panel P in the fitted state of both the housings 10 and 20.
[0036]
By the way, in this male housing 20, the detection member 50 is attached only to one end side in the long side direction for reasons such as space. Therefore, when the male housing 20 is attached to the panel P, the male housing 20 is inclined with respect to the long side direction due to the clearance between the locking claw 32 of the fixed locking portion 30 and the elastic locking portion 31 and the panel P. When attached as it is, the side of the male housing 20 to which the detection member 50 is attached is properly attached and the detection member 50 can be moved to the detection position, but the opposite side is in an incomplete attachment state. There is a possibility. That is, while the locking claw 32 of the elastic locking portion 31 near the detection member 50 is locked to the panel P, it is impossible to detect a situation in which the other elastic locking portion 31 remains bent. There is a fear.
[0037]
However, if the female housing 10 is to be fitted to the male housing 20 in such an incompletely attached state, the bent elastic locking portion 31 is arranged in the groove portion 33 as shown in FIG. Therefore, when the bending restricting portion 17 abuts against the elastic locking portion 31, the fitting operation of both the housings 10 and 20 is restricted. As a result, it is detected that the elastic locking portion 31 remains bent and the male housing 20 is not properly attached to the panel P. Therefore, the female housing 10 is again attached after the male housing 20 is correctly attached. Do the mating work. Thus, the attachment state with respect to the panel P of the male housing 20 is detectable by whether the both housings 10 and 20 can be fitted. In other words, in a state where both housings 10 and 20 are fitted, it is ensured that the male housing 20 is properly attached to the panel P.
[0038]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the attachment state of the male housing 20 to the panel P can be detected based on whether or not the detection member 50 can be moved to the detection position. It is possible to prevent the housing 20 from being left in the state of being attached.
[0039]
Moreover, the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole H constitutes a restricting portion that interferes with the detecting portion 54 of the detecting member 50 and restricts its movement. In other words, the mounting hole H that is an existing structure in the panel P is used. Since the movement restriction of the detection member 50 is performed, the structure of the panel P is simplified and the cost can be reduced as compared with a case where a separate restriction portion is provided on the panel P.
[0040]
Furthermore, when the detection member 50 reaches the detection position, the detection unit 54 is locked to the surface Pb of the panel P, so that the male housing 20 can be firmly held against the panel P. Moreover, since the detection unit 54 is configured to be locked to the elastic locking unit 31 side of the panel P instead of the fixed locking unit 30 side, the elastic locking unit 31 is bent carelessly in the attached state. Even if the locked state is released, the detection unit 54 is held in a fixed locked state, so that the holding state of the male housing 20 with respect to the panel P can be kept stable.
[0041]
Moreover, even if the worker on the front side of the panel P attaches the male housing 20 from the back side of the panel P through the panel due to the work space or the like, the operation unit 56 of the detection member 50 is connected to the front side of the panel P. In other words, since the operation can be performed while viewing from the operator side, if the operation unit is operated from the back side of the panel, the operation unit can hardly be visually observed, and the operation status is also exclusively for the operator. According to this embodiment, the operability of the detection member 50 can be improved compared to having to rely on the sense of the fingertip.
[0042]
Further, since the guide surface 55 is provided on the detection unit 54, when the male housing 20 is just before being properly attached to the panel P, an operation of pushing the detection member 50 into the detection position is used. The male housing 20 can be corrected to a normal mounting state, and workability is improved.
[0043]
If the male housing 20 is properly attached to the panel P, the bending restricting portion 17 of the female housing 10 enters the groove portion 33 provided inside the elastic locking portion 31 of the male housing 20. Thus, when the fitting operation of both housings 10 and 20 is allowed, if the male housing 20 is in the middle of being attached to the panel P, the bending restricting portion 17 is against the elastic locking portion 31 that is bent. By hitting, the groove portion 33 cannot be entered, and the fitting operation of both the housings 10 and 20 is restricted. That is, the mounting state of the male housing 20 with respect to the panel P can be detected based on whether both the housings 10 and 20 can be fitted. Moreover, since the bending of the elastic locking portion 31 can be restricted by the bending restricting portion 17 in the fitted state, the male housing 20 can be held stably with respect to the panel P.
[0044]
<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention, and further, within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention other than the following. Various modifications can be made.
(1) In the above-described embodiment, the detection member is moved along the short side direction of the male housing. However, the detection member is moved along the long side direction of the male housing or moved obliquely. What is done is also included in the present invention.
[0045]
(2) In the above-described embodiment, the detection member is slightly moved from the standby position to the detection position side until the detection unit hits the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole. By adjusting the detection portion, the detection portion may abut against the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole without almost moving the detection member from the standby position. In this way, since the attachment state of the male housing can be detected depending on whether or not the detection member can be moved, detection accuracy can be improved.
[0047]
(4) In the above-described embodiment, the operation part of the detection member protrudes from the front side of the panel. However, the operation part is disposed on the back side of the panel and operated from the back side.
(5) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the detection member is attached only to one end side in the long side direction of the male housing has been shown. You may make it attach to a pair. In this way, even when the male housing is attached in a posture inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction, it can be reliably detected that the male housing is being attached.
[0048]
  (6) In the above-described embodiment, the groove portion is provided on the inner side of the elastic locking portion of the male housing, and the bending restriction portion is protruded from the female housing, but the groove portion of the elastic locking portion is omitted. The bending of the elastic locking portion may be restricted by the outer surface of the female housing.
  (7) In the above-described embodiment, the male housing is attached to the panel. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to the one in which the female housing is attached to the panel..
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a male housing and a detection member according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a cross-sectional view of the male housing taken along line AA in FIG.
3 is a cross-sectional view of the male housing and the detection member taken along line BB in FIG.
4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 1 in the male housing and the panel.
5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.
6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 1 showing a state in which the male housing is being attached to the panel.
7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 1 showing a state in which the male housing is being attached to the panel.
8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 1 showing a state in which the male housing is properly attached to the panel.
9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 1 showing a state in which the male housing is properly attached to the panel.
FIG. 10 is a front view showing a state in which the male housing is properly attached to the panel.
11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG.
FIG. 12 is a front view showing a state in which the detection member is moved to the detection position.
13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 1 showing a state where the detection unit interferes with the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole.
14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 1 showing a state in which the guide surface is in contact with the front edge of the mounting hole.
FIG. 15 is a front view of a female housing.
FIG. 16 is a plan view of a female housing with a male housing attached to a panel and a lever mounted at an initial position;
17 is a sectional view taken along line DD in FIG.
FIG. 18 is a plan view showing a state in which both housings are fitted to a predetermined depth.
FIG. 19 is a plan view showing a state in the middle of turning the lever.
FIG. 20 is a plan view showing a state in which the lever is rotated to the fitting position.
21 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG.
FIG. 22 is a front view showing a state in which the female housing is fitted to the male housing attached to the panel.
FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the bending restricting portion of the female housing abuts against the bent elastic locking portion.
FIG. 24 is a side view of a conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 ... Female housing (mating connector housing)
17 ... Deflection regulation part
20 ... Male housing (connector housing)
27. Flange (abutting part, holding means)
30: Fixed locking part (holding means)
31 ... Elastic locking part (holding means)
33 ... Groove (flexible space)
50 .. detection member (detection means)
54. Detection part
55 ... Guide surface
56: Operation unit
P ... Panel
Pa ... Back surface (surface on the side of the panel where the connector housing is mounted)
Pb ... front surface (surface on the opposite side of the panel where the connector housing is mounted)
H ... Mounting hole

Claims

A connector housing is provided that is attached in a state of being penetrated through an attachment hole provided in an opening in the panel, and the connector housing is provided with a holding means for holding the connector housing in an attached state with respect to the panel. In things,
A detection means for detecting whether or not the connector housing is properly attached to the panel is provided,
The detection means is assembled to the connector housing and is movable toward the detection position along a direction intersecting the mounting direction of the connector housing with respect to the panel. The detection means is provided on the panel side and provided on the detection member. And a restriction part capable of interfering with the detected part,
And this control part is comprised by the internal peripheral surface of the said attachment hole, and when the connector housing is in the middle of attachment to the said panel, the detection part detects by a detection member interfering with the internal peripheral surface of the said attachment hole. When the movement operation to the position is restricted and the connector housing is properly attached, the detection part passes through the attachment hole and becomes non-interfering so that the detection member can be moved to the detection position. The detection unit is adapted to be locked to the surface of the panel opposite to the side on which the connector housing is attached,
In addition, the holding means is engaged with an abutting portion capable of abutting on a surface of the panel where the connector housing is attached and a surface of the panel opposite to the side where the connector housing is attached. A fixed locking portion and an elastic locking portion that sandwich the panel with the abutting portion;
When attaching the connector housing, first pass the fixing locking portion through the mounting hole and lock it to the panel, and then pass the mounting hole while bending the elastic locking portion by the edge of the mounting hole. It is designed to be locked to the panel,
The detection member moves from the fixed locking portion side to the elastic locking portion side to reach the detection position, and the detection portion is locked to the elastic locking portion side of the panel. And
Furthermore, when the detection member is to be moved to the detection position before the connector housing is properly attached to the detection portion, the detection portion is slidably contacted with a hole edge of the attachment hole. The connector is provided with a guide surface that can be corrected to a normal mounting state .

In what attaches the connector housing from the back side of the panel,
The connector according to claim 1, wherein the detection member is provided with an operation unit that enables a movement operation from the front side of the panel.

The mating connector housing that can be fitted to the connector housing that is attached to the panel is provided with a bending restricting portion that can enter into the bending space when the two connector housings are fitted. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector is characterized by the following.