JP6505547B2 - Connector structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector structure, and more particularly to a connector structure used for connection of a wire harness.

  Conventionally, in an automatic transmission of an automobile (hereinafter referred to as "A / T"), a wire is connected to each of the electric devices in order to electrically connect the electric devices arranged inside and outside of the A / T. A connector for connecting harnesses (hereinafter referred to as "W / H") is directly installed in the A / T case. Such a connector is to be inserted into a through hole formed in the A / T case and assembled (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP, 2012-64329, A (page 4-6, FIG. 4)

The connector structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 is provided with a protruding locking stay provided on a vehicle body panel (A / T case), and the male connector is mounted on the vehicle body panel in a state where the locking stay is inserted. By inserting the female connector in which the cover is installed in advance into the male connector, and locking the locking projection provided on the female connector to the tip of the locking stay provided on the vehicle body panel The male connector and the female connector are fixed to the vehicle body panel.
Therefore, it is necessary to provide a locking stay on the vehicle body panel, and there is a problem that the male connector can not be assembled to the vehicle body panel until the female connector in which the cover is incorporated is inserted into the male connector. The
Therefore, without providing a locking stay on the vehicle body panel, the male connector can be assembled to the vehicle body panel (A / T etc.) so as not to be able to be detached even before the cover or the female connector is assembled. A plate for preventing falling off (corresponding to a so-called "C clip") is installed.

In the connector for installing the plate, an annular flange and a plate insertion groove are formed in parallel with each other on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical connector housing. Therefore, after assembling the connector housing to the A / T case with the flange on the outside of the A / T case, inserting the plate into the plate insertion groove located inside the A / T case allows the connector to be A / T. It is impossible to drop out of the case.
Further, at an end portion of the connector housing located inside the A / T, a cover installation notch portion for installing a cover for covering the W / H pulled out from the connector housing is formed.

  However, since the connector for installing the plate has the above-described configuration, there are the following problems. That is, since the plate is moved in parallel with the cover installation notch when assembling, if there is a gap between the cover and the cover installation notch, there is a risk that the plate may enter the gap by mistake. . In addition, when the connector housing is not sufficiently inserted into the through hole formed in the A / T case, the plate can not be inserted into the plate insertion groove because the plate insertion groove is not exposed in the A / T. Furthermore, even if the insertion into the through holes is sufficient, it is difficult to align the plate with the plate insertion groove.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and a first object of the present invention is to prevent the plate from entering the gap even if there is a gap between the cover installation notch and the cover. It is in providing a connector structure that can be done. A second object is to provide a connector structure that can ensure the insertion of the plate into the plate insertion groove.

A connector structure according to the present invention comprises a connector housing having a plate insertion groove provided on a side surface and a cover installation notch provided on one end, a plate inserted into the plate insertion groove, and And a cover to be installed in the cover installation notch,
The plate has a substantially U shape including a plate facing portion facing each other and a plate connecting portion connecting the plate facing portions with each other by an elastically deformable plate having a thickness insertable into the plate insertion groove. Formed
The cover is provided on the side of the cover facing each other, on the bottom of the cover connecting the sides of the cover, and on the side opposite to the bottom of the cover on the side of the cover. And a rib provided on the cover locking portion and projecting to the opposite side of the bottom surface of the cover.

  According to the present invention, when the connector housing is assembled to the A / T case, the plate interferes with the rib if the plate is moved at a position close to the cover (same position away from the plate insertion groove). Movement is blocked. For this reason, even if a gap is formed between the cover and the cover installation notch, the plate does not enter the gap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The connector structure which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is demonstrated, Comprising: It is a side view which shows a part (connector housing). It is a top view which shows the connector structure which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, and shows a part (plate). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The connector structure which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is demonstrated, Comprising: It is a perspective view which shows a part (cover). It is a side view which shows the connector structure which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, and shows an assembly condition. It is a side view explaining the connector structure concerning Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a side view explaining the connector structure concerning Embodiment 2 of the present invention. It is a bottom view explaining the connector structure concerning Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the invention (hereinafter, referred to as “embodiments”) will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, a connector structure installed in the A / T case of the A / T (automatic transmission in a car) for electrically connecting various devices inside and outside the A / T (more precisely, various devices are connected Although the connector structure for connecting the terminals fixed to W / H (wire harness) is demonstrated to an example, this invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be a connector device for electrically connecting various devices disposed in an engine room of a car or a fuel tank or the like, or electrically connecting various devices disposed in a device other than a vehicle. . Further, each drawing is schematically drawn, and the present invention is not limited to the illustrated form.

First Embodiment
1 to 5 illustrate the connector structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view showing a part (connector housing), and FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a part (plate). FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a part (cover), FIG. 4 is a side view showing an assembled state, and FIG. 5 is a side view (side view showing an end time of assembly). For convenience of explanation, “X direction, Y direction and Z direction” are shown based on the direction in the assembling condition.

(connector)
In FIGS. 1 to 5, the connector structure 100 includes a connector housing (hereinafter referred to as “housing”) 10, a plate 20, and a cover 30.
The housing 10 has a cylindrical shape in which one terminal (not shown) is insert-molded, and the other terminal (not shown) connected to the W / H (wire harness) 40 is inserted, and both are electrically Are connected in
The plate 20 holds the housing 10 inserted in a through hole (not shown) formed in the A / T case (automatic transmission case) 90 in a non-detachable manner.
The cover 30 covers the open area of the one end face of the housing 10 (the same as the connection portion between the terminals) and guides the W / H 40 in the pull-out direction.

(housing)
In FIG. 1, the housing 10 has a cylindrical housing outer portion 10 a in a range closer to one end (end in the + Z direction, hereinafter referred to as “outer end”) 11 and the other end (− A cylindrical housing inner portion 10b is provided at the end in the Z direction, which is near the end 19 (hereinafter referred to as "the inner end").
A flat outer flange 12 perpendicular to the central axis 10z of the housing 10 is provided at the boundary between the housing outer portion 10a and the housing inner portion 10b. Moreover, the plate insertion groove 13 which mutually opposed is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the housing inside part 10b. The plate insertion groove 13 is perpendicular to the central axis 10z, and the outer flange 12 and the plate insertion groove 13 are parallel.

(Plate insertion groove)
The plate insertion groove 13 has a plate groove holding portion 14 having a constant width (distance in the central axis 10z direction), and a plate groove formed continuously at one end (end in the + X direction) of the plate groove holding portion 14 The pickup unit 15 is provided. The plate groove pick-up portion 15 gradually approaches the inner end portion 19 (−Z direction) as it gets away from the plate groove holding portion 14 (as it goes in the + X direction). That is, the width of the plate groove pick-up portion 15 gradually widens and is substantially triangular in side view.
Further, the other end (end in the -X direction) of the plate groove holding portion 14 has the same width as the plate groove holding portion 14 and is deeper than the plate groove holding portion 14 (the distance in the + Y direction or -Y direction is A large) plate groove indented portion 16 is formed.

(Notched part for cover installation)
Furthermore, a cover installation notch 17 for installing the cover 30 is formed at the inner end 19 of the housing 10, and the cover installation notch surface 18 of the cover installation notch 17 is formed on the central axis 10z. It is vertical.

(plate)
In FIG. 2, the plate 20 is a plate that can be elastically deformed with a thickness that can be inserted into the plate insertion groove 13, and the plate facing portion 21 facing each other and the plate connecting portion 22 connecting the plate facing portions 21 with each other Is formed in a substantially U-shape. Then, at the opposing edge of the plate facing portion 21, the plate projecting edge 24 that protrudes gradually closer to each other as it goes away from the plate tip 23 and the plate projecting edge 24 continue through a circular arc, and the plate connecting portion A plate flank 25 substantially parallel to 22 and a plate holding edge 26 which is continuous with the plate flank 25 via a circular arc and is substantially perpendicular to the plate connecting portion 22 are formed. Furthermore, a plate through hole 27 is formed at the position of the plate projecting edge 24.

(cover)
In FIG. 3, the cover 30 has a substantially U-shaped cross section in which the upper surface (+ Z direction) and one end surface (+ X direction) are open, and substantially trapezoidal cover side surfaces 31 (approximately in the XZ plane) facing each other. And a cover bottom surface 32 connecting the cover side surfaces 31 with each other.
The cover side surface 31 is continuous with the cover side upper edge 31a and the cover side lower edge 31b parallel to each other and the cover side lower edge 31b, and as it is separated from the cover side lower edge 31b (about the −X direction) And a cover side sloped edge 31c adjacent (to the + Z direction) 31a.
The cover bottom surface 32 connects the flat cover bottom surface 32b (which is located in the substantially XY plane) connecting the cover side lower edges 31b to each other and the cover side inclined edges 31c to each other. A cover sloped bottom surface 32c formed of an arc shape or a plurality of planes is provided.

(rib)
Moreover, the cover latching | locking part 33 of a cross-sectional substantially U-shaped is provided in one side (in the-X direction side) of the cover side surface upper edge 31a. The cover locking portion 33 is continuous with the cover locking portion arm 33 a (formed on the XY plane) perpendicular to the cover side surface 31 and the cover locking portion arm 33 a and parallel to the cover side surface 31 (X− A cover locking portion wall 33b formed on the Z surface, and a cover locking protrusion 33c continuous to the cover locking portion wall 33b and perpendicular to the cover side surface 31 (formed on the X-Y plane); There is.
Furthermore, the cover locking projection 33 c is provided with a rib (protruding piece) 34 that protrudes in the opposite direction (+ Z direction) of the cover bottom surface 32.
The cover locking projection 33c can enter the cover setting notch 17 formed in the inner end 19 of the housing 10, and can not be pulled out to locking means (not shown) provided on the housing 10 To be precise, it is something which locks in (it is difficult to slip off). At this time, the cover locking projection 33c is parallel to the cover installation notch surface 18 and both contact or a slight gap is formed between them, and the rib 34 is an outer peripheral surface of the housing 10 Or a slight gap is formed between it and the outer circumferential surface.

(Installation status)
In FIG. 4, the connector structure 100 is assembled to the A / T case 90. That is, the housing inner portion 10b is inserted from the outside into the through hole (not shown) formed in the A / T case 90, and the outer flange 12 is the outer surface of the A / T case 90 (hereinafter referred to as "case outer surface") 90a. And the plate insertion groove 13 is substantially parallel to the inner surface (hereinafter referred to as “case inner surface”) 90 b of the A / T case 90.
Then, the plate 20 is moved in parallel with the case inner surface 90 b (in the −X direction) inside the A / T case 90.
A cover 30 is installed in the cover installation notch 17. That is, the cover locking projection 33 c of the cover 30 intrudes into the cover setting notch 17 formed in the inner end 19 of the housing 10 and can not be pulled out to the locking means (not shown) provided on the housing 10. It is locked to (it is difficult to slip out). Therefore, the cover 30 is installed in the housing 10 so as not to come off.

(At the end of assembly)
In FIG. 5, the insertion of the plate 20 into the plate insertion groove 13 is completed. At this time, the plate projecting edge 24 of the plate 20 is guided to the plate groove picking portion 15 and inserted into the plate holding edge 26, and further, the plate projecting edge 24 indents into the plate groove indenting portion 16. Enters the plate groove holding portion 14 (not shown). Therefore, the housing 10 can not be removed from the A / T case 90.

(Action effect)
As described above, since the connector structure 100 includes the rib 34, even if a gap larger than the thickness of the plate 20 is formed between the cover locking projection 33c and the cover installation notch surface 18, even if it is formed. The plate projecting edge 24 of the plate 20 abuts on the rib 34 provided on the cover 30 so that entry into the gap is physically impossible.
In addition, since the plate insertion groove 13 includes the plate groove pick-up portion 15 whose one side (the + X direction) is widened, provisionally, through holes (not shown) formed in the A / T case 90 of the housing 10. Even if the insertion is insufficient, the plate groove pick-up portion 15 is exposed inward from the case inner surface 90b. For this reason, the plate protruding edge 24 of the plate 20 is guided by the plate groove pick-up portion 15 and can be easily inserted into the plate groove holding portion 14. Then, the plate projecting edge 24 intrudes into the plate groove indenting portion 16, and the plate holding edge 26 intrudes into the plate groove retaining portion 14.
Also, if insertion of the housing 10 into the through hole (not shown) formed in the A / T case 90 is sufficient, the plate projection of the plate 20 even when the plate 20 is moved away from the case inner surface 90b. Since the edge 24 is guided to the plate groove pick-up portion 15, it can be easily inserted into the plate groove holding portion 14.
Thus, the connector structure 100 can make insertion of the plate into the plate insertion groove easy and reliable, and prevent the insertion of the plate 20 between the cover installation notch 17 and the cover 30. it can. Thus, the workability of the assembling operation is improved.

Second Embodiment
6 and 7 illustrate a connector structure according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a side view and FIG. 7 is a bottom view. The same parts as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

(connector)
6 and 7, the connector structure 200 includes a connector housing (hereinafter referred to as a “housing”) 50 and a cover 60. That is, since the connector structure 200 does not have the plate 20 which the connector structure 100 (the first embodiment) has, the plate 50 is not provided in the housing 50, but the plate 50 is provided. A plate insertion groove 13 may be provided.

(cover)
In FIG. 6, the cover 60 has the same shape as the cover 30, and one direction (+ X direction) is long. That is, the cover side surface 31 and the cover bottom surface 32 are extended in the direction (+ X direction) away from the cover inclined bottom surface 32c. Therefore, the distance between the center axis 10z and the front end surface (the end surface in the + X direction) 35 of the cover side surface 31 and the cover bottom surface 32 is larger than the radius of the housing inner portion 10b.
Then, the direction of the W / H 40 drawn out is a direction that does not interfere with other parts 80 (shown by ovals, see FIG. 7) around the housing 50.
In addition, although the rib 34 is not provided in the cover 60, you may provide the rib 34 according to the cover 30. FIG.

(Action effect)
In FIG. 7, the W / H 40 is connected to a connector 70 which is routed to solenoids and sensors disposed inside the A / T case 90. In the connector structure 200, since the cover 60 is extended in one direction, the cover 60 serves as a guide wall of the W / H 40 or a cover portion of the W / H 40 to restrict the direction in which the W / H 40 is pulled out. Along with the function, it has an interference prevention function to prevent the W / H 40 from interfering with other parts 80 (shown by ovals) arranged around the housing 50.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on embodiment, this embodiment is an illustration and it is not limited to the connector assembled | attached to A / T. Further, it is understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the respective constituent elements and their combinations, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention.

  As described above, since the connector structure according to the present invention can be assembled easily and reliably, it can be widely used as a connector assembled to various devices without being limited to A / T in a car. .

10: Connector housing (housing)
10a: housing outer portion 10b: housing inner portion 10z: central shaft 11: outer end 12: outer flange 13: plate insertion groove 14: plate groove holding portion 15: plate groove picking portion 16: plate groove indented portion 17: cover setting For the cutaway portion 18: cover installation cutaway surface 19: inner end 20: plate 21: plate facing portion 22: plate connecting portion 23: plate tip 24: plate protruding edge 25: plate relief edge 26: plate holding edge 27 A plate through hole 30: a cover 31: a cover side 31a: a cover side upper edge 31b: a cover side lower edge 31c: a cover side inclined edge 32: a cover bottom 32b: a cover flat bottom 32c: a cover inclined bottom 33: a cover locking portion 33a : Cover locking arm 33b: cover locking wall 33c: cover locking projection 34: rib 40: Year harness (W / H)
50: Housing 60: Cover 70: Connector 80: Other parts 90: Automatic transmission case (A / T case)
90a: case outer surface 90b: case inner surface 100: connector structure (first embodiment)
200: Connector structure (Embodiment 2)

Claims (2)

A connector housing having a plate insertion groove provided on the side surface and a cover installation notch provided on one end, a plate inserted into the plate insertion groove, and the cover installation notch installed Have a cover to be
The plate has a substantially U shape including a plate facing portion facing each other and a plate connecting portion connecting the plate facing portions with each other by an elastically deformable plate having a thickness insertable into the plate insertion groove. Formed
The cover is provided on the side of the cover facing each other, on the bottom of the cover connecting the sides of the cover, and on the side opposite to the bottom of the cover on the side of the cover. A connector structure comprising: a stop portion; and a rib provided on the cover locking portion and projecting to the opposite side of the bottom surface of the cover.   The plate insertion groove is formed in a plate groove holding portion which is perpendicular to the central axis of the connector housing and has a constant width, and one end of the plate groove holding portion, and the plate groove is gradually gradually moved away from the plate groove holding portion The connector structure according to claim 1, further comprising: a plate groove pick-up portion whose width is expanded.

Images