JP4843006B2 - Connector unlock structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector unlocking structure for easily unlocking an optical connector bonded and locked to a relay adapter or the like with one touch.

  Conventionally, in an optical connector composed of an optical plug connector and an optical receptacle connector to which the optical plug connector is fitted, when the optical plug connector is disposed at a high density and is fitted to the optical receptacle connector, an operator's hand Even if the optical plug connector is unlocked and removed, other connectors or the like may be disposed without sufficient gaps, and it may be difficult to release the lock because the insertion of the hand is hindered. In order to solve this problem, an unlocking member has been proposed.

For example, as described in Patent Document 1, a main body that is a housing of an optical connector, a lock lever that is integrally formed with the main body, and an outer periphery of the main body that are slidably held. It consists of a slide cover, and when the operation part extended from the main part of this slide cover is pulled in the direction of detachment, the main part of the slide cover operates the operated part of the lock lever to unlock it It has been known.
JP 2005-173173 A

  However, in the above-described conventional connector unlocking structure, the outer diameter of the entire connector is increased because a slidable slide cover is provided around the outer peripheral surface of the main body of the housing. The pitch of optical connectors for high-density mounting must be increased. In addition, the cost of the molding material for the slide cover also becomes bulky. Furthermore, there are cases where simple temporary fixing is desired without using the locking claw portion of the connector. In that case, it is necessary to maintain a lock release and to be suitable for a high-density mounting arrangement. The connector unlocking structure according to the present invention has been proposed in order to solve such a problem.

  The gist for solving the above-described problems of the connector unlocking structure according to the present invention is to make the main body of the connector holding the signal cable parallel to the connector insertion / extraction direction from a part of the main body. An elastic piece that is projected and cantilevered and is locked in engagement with the other side and is elastically deformed in the unlocking direction perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction and unlocked, and the lock lever A connector unlocking structure for unlocking a receptacle or an adapter comprising a lock releasing member that is slidably supported in the insertion / extraction direction on the main body of the connector to release the lock. In addition to the locking claw part and the unlocking operation part provided in A locking portion protruding downward and provided vertically is provided, and the unlocking member is provided so as to be positioned within a width dimension in at least one of the vertical and horizontal directions of the main body of the connector. The leading end of the member is formed so as to engage with the locking portion of the lock lever and to elastically deform the lock lever in the unlocking direction when pulled in the removal direction.

The locking portion of the lock lever protrudes inward and downward, and its tip is bent obliquely in the insertion direction;
A guide recess for a cable is formed on the outer side wall in the left-right direction in the operation portion provided on the side wall of the main body in the unlocking member;
Is included.

According to the unlocking structure of the connector of the present invention, the engaging portion suspended from the lock lever is engaged with the distal end portion of the unlocking member that is located within the thickness dimension in the vertical direction of the main body of the connector. Since the locks are released together, the lock release member does not widen the outer diameter of the connector even when the connectors are arranged vertically and horizontally, and the connector is suitable for high density arrangement.
Moreover, since the latching | locking part of a lock lever is curving diagonally toward the insertion direction, it becomes easy to hook at the front-end | tip part of a lock release member.
Furthermore, an operation portion that is accommodated within a thickness range in the vertical direction of the main body portion of the connector is provided on an end portion of the unlocking member on the pulling direction side or a side wall portion of the main body portion of the unlocking member. Therefore, even if a high-density connector is provided, the lock can be released by inserting a finger of a hand. And since the unlocking member is provided at the center position with respect to the main body portion of the connector, there is no bias in the operation position and the structure is suitable for high-density mounting arrangement, and the operability is good. There is no adverse effect because no biasing force is applied.
Since there is a guide recess for the cable in the unlocking member, the cable is stored in a straight line. This also allows the lock release member to be inserted and attached to the main body even after the main body of the connector is attached to the cable, improving workability in harness creation.

  The connector unlocking structure according to the present invention has a structure for releasing the locked state between the connectors in the cable connection structure mainly for optical signal in optical communication and signal cable connectors for electrical signals. It should be suitable for high-density mounting arrangements.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 2-A, the first embodiment of the unlocking structure according to the present invention includes a substantially rectangular main body 1a of a connector 1 that holds a signal cable, and one of the main body 1a. Part, for example, an elastic piece protruding in parallel with the connector insertion / removal direction a from the central part in the left / right direction of the main body 1a and supported in a cantilevered manner, and the fitting state with the other side is locked and the insertion / removal direction a A lock lever 2 that is elastically deformed in the unlocking direction b orthogonal to the lock lever 2 to be unlocked, and a lock that is slidably supported in the insertion / removal direction a by the main body 1a of the connector 1 to unlock the lock lever 2 There is a connector 1 composed of a release member 3. The code | symbol 4 shown in FIG. 1 has shown the ferrule in the connection part for optical cables.

  In addition to the locking claw portion 2a and the unlocking operation portion 2b provided on the lock lever 2, as shown in FIG. 2, the lock lever 2 is provided on the outer side where the claw portion 2a protrudes in the vertical direction. A locking portion 2c is provided so as to protrude inward and downward from the direction opposite to the direction.

  The locking portion 2c of the lock lever 2 protrudes inward and downward, and its distal end portion 2d is bent obliquely toward the insertion direction c. This is to make it an introduction part for ensuring engagement when the engagement part 2c starts to be engaged, and to return to the original state after the engagement part 2c is elastically deformed by the engagement partner. This is to make it easier to return the engagement partner when performing the operation.

  The protruding position of the locking portion 2c in the insertion / extraction direction a is a position in front of the claw portion 2a when viewed from the cantilevered base portion 2e of the lock lever 2. Furthermore, when the lock lever 2 is deformed in the unlocking direction b, the distal end portion 2d of the locking portion 2c is located inside the escape hole 1b provided in the main body portion 1a as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. So that it does not protrude downward from the lower end face 1c of the main body 1a. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 2-A, a fitting protrusion 2g extending in front of the main body 1a in the insertion / extraction direction a is provided with a locking protrusion 2f for temporary fixing. When the locking action by the claw portion 2a is not used, as shown in FIG. 2-B (A), it is provided to easily lock the locking hole 7b of the mating receptacle 7 or the like. . In that case, the connector 1 can be easily detached from the receptacle 7 or the like by pulling it strongly.

  The lock release member 3 is provided so as to be positioned at a substantially middle portion in the vertical direction of the main body 1a of the connector 1. This is because the connector 1 is mounted and arranged at a high density in the vertical direction so that it does not jump out and interfere with the mounting arrangement.

  When the distal end portion 3a of the unlocking member 3 is pulled in the removal direction d, it engages with the engaging portion 2c of the lock lever 2 so that the lock lever 2 is elastically deformed in the unlocking direction b. Is formed. Specifically, the hole 3b is formed in the flat portion, and the tip portion 3a is formed on the tip side. In addition, for example, the engaging tip portion 3a can be formed by forming an L shape or the like, but the one shown in FIG. 2-A exhibits reliable operability.

  The unlocking member 3 is slidably supported in the insertion / removal direction a by two support portions of slide support portions 1d and 1e formed of rectangular through holes provided inside the main body portion 1a. In the slide support portion 1d on the front side in the insertion direction c, the height in the vertical direction of the through hole is narrow.

  Further, a stopper 3c in the removal direction d is provided on the lower surface of the unlocking member 3 between the slide support portions 1d and 1e. Further, the stopper 3d in the insertion direction c is an end surface in the removal direction d of the main body 1a. It is provided so that it may contact 1f.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, an operation portion 3e that is housed within a range of thickness e in the vertical direction of the main body portion 1a of the connector 1 is provided at the end of the unlocking member 3 on the side in the removal direction d. Yes. The end of the operation portion 3e in the removal direction d is formed as a bulged grip portion 3f.

  On the both sides in the left-right direction perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction a of the operation portion 3e provided at the end of the unlocking member 3 on the side of the removal direction d, the finger is narrower than the width in the left-right direction of the main body 1a. A guide member 3g that can be easily inserted is provided, and a guide recess 3h for an optical cable is formed on the outer side wall in the left-right direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the guide member 3g is also formed with a grip portion 3i curved in an arc shape. This is to improve the operability in the removal direction d when there is a margin for inserting a finger in the left-right direction.

  In the unlocking operation of the connector 1, the grasping portion 3f of the operation portion 3e or the grasping portion 3i of the main body portion 3g is grasped with a finger. As shown in FIG. 1, the horizontal width of the grip portion 3f or the main body portion 3g is narrower than the width of the main body portion 1a. It is suitable. Further, since the grip portion 3f or the grip portion 3i is accommodated within the range of the thickness e in the vertical direction of the main body portion 1a, it is suitable for high-density arrangement in the vertical direction.

  When the unlocking member 3 is inserted into the main body 1a, the tip 3a is inserted from the rear opening of the main body 1a along the insertion direction c. The rear opening has a tapered portion 1g in part and is easy to introduce. Inserting the unlocking member 3 along the insertion direction c penetrates the through holes of the slide support portions 1d and 1e, the stopper 3d comes into contact with the end surface 1f, and the insertion into the main body portion 1a is stopped. It is.

  When such a connector 1 is used, as shown in FIGS. 2-B (A) and (B), the connector 1 is fitted into a mating receptacle or adapter 7 so that they are dense. 2B, when the grip portion 3f of the operation portion 3e of the lock release member 3 is pulled in the removal direction, the distal end portion 3a is moved to the lock lever 2 as shown in FIG. The locking lever 2c is pulled down, the lock lever 2 is elastically bent downward in the unlocking direction b, and the claw portion 2a is released from the locking hole 7a of the receptacle or adapter 7. As a result, the connector 1 is detached from the mating receptacle or adapter 7.

  After the connector 1 is detached, the lock lever 2 naturally returns to its original position by its elastic force, so that the tip 3a of the unlocking member 3 is pulled back in the insertion / removal direction a, The release member 3 is naturally returned to the original position, and is in the state shown in the center position diagram in FIG. Since the front end 2d of the locking portion 2c of the lock lever 2 is curved and the front end 3a can be easily returned, it can be returned smoothly.

  Further, since the grip portion 3f or the grip portion 3i of the operation portion 3e is disposed at the center position in the vertical and horizontal directions of the connector 1, even if it is pulled during the unlocking operation, the biasing force is applied to the main body portion 1a. Even if the connector 1 is mounted and arranged at a high density, the operability of unlocking is good, and there is no adverse effect such as opening and loosening the opening of the main body 1a. .

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 4, as the connector 6 of the unlocking structure according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the unlocking member 5 has an operation portion 3 e and a stopper member 3 g with respect to the unlocking member 3. As a single main body portion 5g, a stopper in the removal direction is not provided at the portion where the slide is supported.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (B), the grip which is an operating portion housed within the range of the thickness e in the vertical direction of the main body 1a of the connector 1 is provided on the side wall of the main body 5g of the unlocking member 5. Part 5i is provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 5A, a guide recess 5h for the optical cable 4a is formed on the outer side wall in the left-right direction in the operation part provided on the side wall part of the main body part 5g in the unlocking member 5. Even in such a structure, as in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, when the unlocking member 5 is pulled in the removal direction d, the tip 5a engages with the locking portion 2c. Is pushed downward, the claw portion 2a of the lock lever 2 is elastically deformed, and the claw portion 2a is unlocked from the engaging portion on the mating counterpart side.

  In the unlocking operation, the grasping part 5i of the main body part 5g is grasped with a finger of the hand. As shown in FIG. 4, the width of the main body 5g in the left-right direction is narrower than the width of the main body 1a, and it is easy to put a finger, making it suitable for high-density placement in the left-right direction. . Moreover, since the grip part 5i is stored in the range of the thickness e of the main-body part 1a in the up-down direction, it is suitable for high-density arrangement in the up-down direction.

  The unlocking member 5 is inserted into the main body 1a parallel to the insertion direction from the rear opening through the front end 5a, passes through the slide support portions 1d and 1d, and the slide support portions 1e and 1e, and engages the lock lever 2. The stop portion 2c is lifted up, and the tip portion 5a protrudes forward. The end surface 5d of the main body 5g of the unlocking member 5 comes into contact with the end surface 1f of the main body 1a, and the insertion in the insertion direction c is stopped.

In order to detach the lock release member 5 from the main body 1a, the claw portion 2a of the lock lever 2 is lifted upward, and the tip 5a is pulled out in the removal direction d so as not to engage with the locking portion 2c. Is.
In the case of the unlocking member 5 according to the second embodiment, there is an advantage that the entire length in the insertion / extraction direction a is short and compact. Also in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the lock release members 3 and 5 are provided inside the width and thickness of the main body portion 1a of the connector 1, and therefore, in the multiple arrangement of the connector 1, Without increasing the pitch between the connectors, even if the connectors are arranged at high density, it is easy to unlock the mating state of the connectors by inserting fingers.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 to 8, the third embodiment of the present invention has a main body portion 1a of a connector 1 for holding a signal cable, and a portion of the main body portion 1a that protrudes in parallel with the connector insertion / removal direction. A lock lever 2 which is a cantilever-supported elastic piece which is locked in engagement with the other side and is elastically deformed in the unlocking direction perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction and unlocked; In the unlocking structure of the connector that unlocks the receptacle or the adapter, the unlocking member 8 being unlocked, the lock lever 2 is provided with a locking claw portion and an unlocking operation portion provided on the lock lever 2. In addition to the above, there is provided a locking portion 2c that protrudes inward and downward from the outside upward direction in which the claw portion protrudes in the vertical direction, and the unlocking member 8 is The main body 1a of the connector 1 is provided on the lower side of the lock lever 2, and the lock release member 8 is engaged with the engaging portion 2c of the lock lever 2 to release the lock lever 2 in the unlocking direction b ( A locking hole 8b that is elastically deformed downward), and an engagement means 8c that engages with a locking hole 1h that is a part of the main body 1a so as to maintain the locking hole 8b in an unlocked state. Have.

  As shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D, the unlocking member 8 is an elongated flat plate-like main body portion 8a having a required thickness, and is provided with a locking hole 8b penetrating vertically. A locking projection 8c, which is the engaging means, protrudes from the lower surface of the portion 8a. When the connector 1 is attached to the main body 1a, as shown in FIG. 8, the connector 1 is inserted from the front opening in the insertion / removal direction a toward the removal direction as indicated by the arrow, and is inserted through the slide support portions 1d and 1d. The locking portion 2c of the lock lever 2 is lowered and engaged with the locking hole 8b, and the lock release member 8 is pushed in as it is, so that the lock lever 2 is elastically deformed, and the claw portion 2a is moved to the unlocking position. Deform. At that time, the locking projection 8c falls into the locking hole 1h and is locked. Therefore, even if it tries to return to the original state by the elastic force of the locking portion 2c, it is blocked by the locking projection 8c. Thus, the unlocked state of the lock lever 2 is maintained. In such a connector 1, the mating projection 2f of the fitting portion 2g is simply temporarily fixed to the mating receptacle 7 or the like, and can be easily detached from the connector 1 by pulling it strongly.

It is a top view which shows the lock release structure of the connector 1 which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the mode of the lock release in the lock release structure of the connector 1 of the same invention. It is the top view (A) which shows the use condition of the connector 1, sectional drawing (B) of a center position, and sectional drawing (C) of a lock release state similarly. It is the top view (A), side view (B), and front view (C) of the lock release member 5 in the lock release structure of the connector 6 which concerns on 2nd Example of the same invention. It is a top view of the lock release structure which concerns on the 2nd Example. It is the front view (A), side view (B), and rear view (C) of the unlocking structure according to the second embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the mode of the lock release of the 2nd Example. It is the top view (A), side view (B), bottom view (C), and front view (D) of the unlocking member 8 in the third embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the lock release state of the 3rd Example.

Explanation of symbols

1 connector, 1a body,
1b relief hole, 1c lower end face,
1d, 1e slide support, 1f end face,
1g taper part, 1h locking hole,
2 lock lever, 2a claw,
2b operation part for unlocking, 2c locking part,
2d tip, 2e base,
2f locking projection, 2g fitting part,
3 unlocking member, 3a tip,
3b hole, 3c stopper,
3d stopper, 3e operation part,
3f gripping part, 3g guide member,
3h guide recess, 3i gripping part,
4 Ferrule,
5 unlocking member, 5a tip,
5b relief hole, 5d end face,
5g body part,
5h guide recess, 5i gripping part,
6 Connector,
7 Receptacle or adapter, 7a Locking hole,
7b locking hole,
8 unlocking member, 8a body,
8b Locking hole, 8c Locking protrusion.

Claims (3)

A connector main body for holding a signal cable, and an elastic piece that is projected from a part of the main body parallel to the connector insertion / extraction direction and is cantilevered and locked in a mating state with the other side. A lock lever that is elastically deformed in the unlocking direction orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction and unlocked, and a lock release member that is slidably supported in the insertion / extraction direction by the main body of the connector to unlock the lock lever. In the connector unlocking structure for unlocking the receptacle or adapter,
In addition to the locking claw portion and the unlocking operation portion provided on the lock lever, the lock lever protrudes in the downward direction on the inside, opposite to the upward direction in which the claw portion protrudes in the vertical direction. The provided locking part is provided,
The lock release member is provided so as to be positioned within a width dimension in at least one of the vertical and horizontal directions of the main body of the connector, and the lock lever when the distal end of the lock release member is pulled in the removal direction. Is formed so as to be elastically deformed in the unlocking direction by engaging the locking portion of
An unlocking structure for connectors. The locking portion of the lock lever protrudes inward and downward, and its tip is bent obliquely in the insertion direction.
The connector unlocking structure according to claim 1. In the operation part provided on the side wall part of the main body part in the unlocking member,
A guide recess for the cable is formed on the outer side wall in the left-right direction;
The connector unlocking structure according to any one of claims 1 to 2.

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