• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    The electrical connector (100) includes a housing to be engaged in a second electrical connector (200), a locking arm resiliently deforming when the locking arm makes contact with an engaging portion of the second electrical connector (200). ), and then returning to its original position, a first detection terminal (130) for detecting whether the electrical connector (100) and the second electrical connector (200) are electrically nested one inside the other, and a unit (134) for assisting the locking arm to return to the original position, the locking arm, the first detection terminal (130), and the unit (134) being disposed in the housing, the first detection terminal (130) comprising a first portion (131) to be fixed with respect to the locking arm, and a second portion (132) for making contact with a second detection terminal (230) of the second horn electric heater (200).
    公开号:FR3013520A1
    申请号:FR1460988
    申请日:2014-11-14
    公开日:2015-05-22
    发明作者:Yoshimitsu Hashimoto；Takashi Morita；Shogo Jinnouchi
    申请人:Dai Ichi Seiko Co Ltd；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    [0001] The invention relates to an electrical connector, and further to a detection terminal included in the electrical connector for detecting whether the electrical connector is electrically connected to a second electrical connector. It is important for a defined electrical connector with a male connector and a female connector to ensure that male and female connectors are securely connected to each other to transmit electrical signals therethrough. In particular, if electrical signals can not be transmitted through the male and female connectors in an electrical connector used in a safety device, due to the imperfect coupling between the male and female connectors, the safety device could not operate. precisely. In order to avoid such a problem, an electrical connector is generally designed to include a detection terminal for detecting whether male and female connectors are electrically nested one inside the other. Fig. 24 is a perspective view of the electrical connector disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H8 (1996) -190961, and Fig. 25 is a sectional view thereof.
    [0002] The electrical connector shown in Figs. 24 and 25 includes a first connector housing 1 having a contact terminal 3, and a second connector housing 2 having a pair of terminals 9 and 9 '. The contact terminal 3 and the terminals 9 and 9 'define a unit for detecting whether the first and second connector housings 1 and 2 are securely connected to each other. The contact terminal 3 comprises a pair of resilient pieces 3c facing each other, and a pair of resilient pieces 3c 'facing each other. When the first and second connector housings 1 and 2 are nested one inside the other, the elastic parts 3c enclose the terminals 9 and 9 'with each other, and similarly, the elastic parts 3c' enclose the terminals 9 and 9 'between them. The first connector housing 1 has on its upper surface a cantilever type flexible arm 6 having a proximal end 6a. The locking arm 6 centrally comprises a protruding protrusion 6b, and further comprises a push button portion 6c (see Fig. 25) at a free end. When the locking arm 6 is compressed, the contact terminal 3 moves elastically upwardly and downwardly. In the conventional electrical connector illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25, the terminals 9 and 9 'slide with the elastic parts 3c and 3c' when the first and second connector housings 1 and 2 are nested one inside the other, ensuring that, even if the terminals 9 and 9 'are contaminated or corroded, this contamination or corrosion can be removed or wiped thanks to the friction force generated by the sliding movement of the terminals 9 and 9' with respect to the elastic parts 3c and 3c. However, if a resistance against the sliding movement of the terminals 9 and 9 'with respect to the elastic parts 3c and 3c ° is increased, the terminals 9 and 9' would be engaged with the elastic parts 3c and 3c 'when the arm blocking device 6 tilts (see Fig. 25) before the locking arm 6 returns to its original position (see Fig. 24), with the result that the aforementioned contamination or corrosion may be imperfectly wiped off and furthermore, the locking arm 6 may not be able to return to its original position, with the result that the first and second connector housings 1 and 2 are not completely nested one inside the other . If the terminals 9 and the elastic parts 3c and 3c 'are electrically connected to each other, even if the first and second connector housings 1 and 2 are not completely nested one inside the other, it is difficult to find the first and second connector housings 1 and 2 that are not completely nested one inside the other. If the first and second connector housings 1 and 2 are pulled in a spacing direction from each other due to impact and / or oscillation when the first and second connector housings 1 and 2 are not completely nested one inside the other, the first and second connector housings 1 and 2 can be removed from each other. If this is the case, since the transmission lines connected by the connector boxes 1 and 2 are cut off, a security unit can not function even in an emergency.
    [0003] Due to the above mentioned problem in the conventional electrical connector, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electrical connector which is capable of being connected to a second electrical connector to thereby provide high reliability for the electrical connection between them. It is another object of the present invention to provide a detection terminal to be included in the above-mentioned electrical connector.
    [0004] In one aspect of the present invention there is provided an electrical connector comprising a housing to be fitted into a second electrical connector, a locking arm resiliently deforming when the locking arm makes contact with an engaging portion of the second electrical connector, and then returning to its original position, when the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector are nested one inside the other, a detection terminal for detecting whether the electrical connector and the second electrical connector are electrically interlocked with one another, and a unit for assisting the locking arm to return to the original position, the locking arm, the detection terminal, and the unit being disposed in the housing, the detection terminal comprising a first part to be fixed with respect to the locking arm, and a second part intended to establish a con tact with a detection terminal of the second electrical connector.
    [0005] In the electrical connector according to the present invention, the locking arm is assisted by the unit to return to its original position after having been elastically deformed by the second electrical connector, ensuring that the locking arm can return safely to its original position, even if there are causes that prevent the locking arm from returning to its original position. It is thus possible to engage the locking arm on the second electrical connector. It is preferable that the unit is formed as part of the detection terminal in one piece with the first part. By designing the unit to be integral with the first part, it is possible to form the detection terminal from a single thin sheet having an elasticity. It is preferable that the unit has a free end which makes contact with a portion of the second electrical connector when the housing and the second electrical connector are nested within each other, the unit exerting a reaction force on the locking arm through the first part fixed relative to the locking arm where the free end making contact with the part acts as a fulcrum.
    [0006] The unit begins to assist the lock arm to return to its original position when the unit makes contact with a protrusion of the second electrical connector, and therefore, the lock arm may be slightly elastically deformed before the locking arm is engaged with the second electrical connector. The unit makes contact at one free end with the protrusion. Since the unit assists the locking arm by using, as a fulcrum, the free end making contact with the projection of the second electrical connector, it is not necessary for the second electrical connector to include a fulcrum for the locking arm. It is preferable that the unit has a leaf spring providing the elastic force.
    [0007] By designing the unit to include a leaf spring, the unit may have increased force to assist the locking arm to return to its original position. It is best if the unit tilts in relation to the first part. It is preferable that the unit is smaller in width in a position closer to a terminal end. It is preferable that the unit is curved at one end end. It is preferable that the detection terminal further comprises a fourth part connecting the first and second parts together, the fourth part being elastically deformable as a function of a displacement of the second part. Even if the second part moves according to the displacement of the detection terminal, the third part is elastically deformed so as to absorb the displacement of the second part, and the second part can follow the displacement of the detection terminal. It is preferable that the second part is substantially U-shaped, with the two extensions defining the "U" spaced apart from each other by a shorter distance and are smaller in width in a closer position. terminal ends. For example, the detection terminal can be made from a single sheet having an elasticity.
    [0008] The advantages obtained by the present invention mentioned above will be described below. According to the present invention, the locking arm is assisted by the unit to return to its original position after being elastically deformed by the second electrical connector, ensuring that the locking arm can safely return. to its original position, even if there are causes that prevent the locking arm from returning to its original position. Thus, it is possible to securely engage the locking arm on the second electrical connector, ensuring high reliability of the electrical connection between the electrical connector and the second electrical connector.
    [0009] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the electrical connector according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing that the male and female electrical connectors are separated from each other.
    [0010] Figure 2 is a front view of the female electrical connector. Figure 3 is a sectional view along the line A-A shown in Figure 2.
    [0011] FIG. 4 is a sectional view along line B-B shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the detection terminal included in the female electrical connector.
    [0012] FIG. 6 is a side view of the detection terminal shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the detection terminal illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the terminal of FIG. Figure 9 illustrates a plate from which the detection terminal shown in Figure 5 is made. Fig. 10 is a perspective view from below of the male electrical connector shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 11 is a front view of the male electrical connector. Fig. 12 is a sectional view of the female electrical connector, taken along the line C-C shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the male and female electrical connectors. FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the male and female electrical connectors along the line CC shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the male and female electrical connectors along the line DD shown in FIG. 13. .
    [0013] Figure 16 is a sectional view of the male and female electrical connectors. FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the male and female electrical connectors along the line CC shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the male and female electrical connectors along the line EE shown in FIG. 16. Figure 19 is a sectional view of the male and female electrical connectors. FIG. 20 is a sectional view of the male and female electrical connectors along the line CC shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 21 is a sectional view of the male and female electrical connectors along the line FF shown in FIG. Figure 22 is a perspective view of the male and female electrical connectors nested one inside the other. Fig. 23 is a plan view of the elastically deformed detection terminal. Fig. 24 is a perspective view of conventional male and female electrical connectors. Fig. 25 is a sectional view of the conventional male and female electrical connectors shown in Fig. 24. The electrical connector according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is explained below with reference to the drawings. In the description, "front" indicates one side of the male and female electrical connectors through which the male and female electrical connectors are nested one inside the other, and "back" indicates the opposite edge to "front".
    [0014] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the electrical connector according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is implemented in the form of a female electrical connector 100. For example, the female electrical connector 100 according to the present form embodiment is used with a male electrical connector 200 in a unit intended to implement an airbag or airbag provided in an automobile. More specifically, the female and male electrical connectors 100 and 200 are used to electrically connect to each other the wires used in the unit. Each of the female electrical connector 100 and the male electrical connector 200 is adapted to include four contact terminals through which electrical signals are transmitted. The female electrical connector 100 is explained first below with reference to FIGS. 1-9. As illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, the female electrical connector 100 includes a housing 110 which can be plugged into the male electrical connector. 200, female contact terminals 120 making electrical contact with the male electrical connector 200, and a first detection terminal 130 making electrical contact with a later-mentioned detection terminal of the male electrical connector 200 to thereby detect whether the female electrical connector 100 is electrically connected to the male electrical connector 200. The housing 110 includes an outer casing to be fitted into an interior space 215 (see Fig. 10) formed within the male electrical connector 200. The casing 110 is formed by injection molding, and comprises a rectangular parallelepiped body 111, a pair e of guides 112 formed on an upper surface of the body 111, and a locking arm 113 preventing the female electrical connector 100 from being released from the male electrical connector 200 once the female and male electrical connectors 100 and 200 have been nested. one in the other.
    [0015] The body 111 is formed with the four terminal spaces 111a disposed in a line in a width direction of the body 111. Each of the female contact terminals 120 is housed in each of the terminal spaces 111a. The body 111 is formed at the front with an opening 111b through which a later mentioned terminal holder is inserted into the body 111. The guides 112 are located so that the locking arm 113 is between them, and extend from the front to the rear of the body in a direction A1 (see FIG. 1) in which the female and male electrical connectors 100 and 200 are nested one inside the other and separated from each other. one of the other. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the locking arm 113 has a front end through which the locking arm 113 is connected to the body 111, and a free rear end. The locking arm 113 is spaced apart 111c from the body 111. Thus, the locking arm 113 can swing at its rear end around a front end. The locking arm 113 may be connected at the front end to the body 111 by a leaf spring. By forming the leaf spring from a resin, the locking arm 113 can be formed integrally with the body 111, ensuring that the locking arm 113 can have a reaction force at its 30. rear end. The locking arm 113 includes resiliently deformable projections 113a (see Fig. 1). The projections 113a are caused to be downwardly deformed by the male electrical connector 200 when the female electrical connector 100 engages the male electrical connector 200, and then returns to their original positions to thereby engage with the male electrical connector 200. As shown in Figure 3, the locking arm 113 is formed at a rear end with a slot 113b in which the first detection terminal 130 is fixed. Each of the female contact terminals 120 has a leaf spring made from a thin sheet. The female contact terminals 120 enclose a male contact terminal 220 (see FIG. 1) between them in order to electrically connect the male contact terminal 220. Each of the female contact terminals 120 is connected to a rear end to a cable 140. (see Figures 1 and 3) extending from the body 111. As shown in Figures 5 to 8, the first detection terminal 130 can be manufactured by punching a sheet into a desired shape, and bending the sheet perforated. The first detection terminal 130 includes a first portion 131 through which the first detection terminal 130 is attached to the locking arm 113, a second portion 132 establishing electrical contact with a detection terminal of the male electrical connector 200 a third portion 134 which aids the locking arm 113 to return to its original position, and a fourth portion 133 connecting the first and second portions 131 and 132 to each other. Since the first detection terminal 130 is attached to the locking arm 113 and therefore to the housing 110 via the first portion 131, when the first detection terminal 130 is viewed from above, as illustrated in FIG. FIG. 7, the second portion 132 may tip into a curved orbit around the fourth portion 133.
    [0016] The first portion 131 is inserted into the slot 113b to thereby be secured in the lock arm 113. The first portion 131 includes a pair of projections 131a, and a pair of abutments 131b.
    [0017] The protrusions 131a extend at opposite sides of the first portion 131 in a direction along the width of the first portion 131, and are wedged in interior walls of the slot 113b to thereby prevent the first detection terminal 130 to be released from the locking arm 113. The stops 113b abut with side walls of the slot 113b to thereby control a depth at which the first detection terminal 130 is inserted into the housing 110.
    [0018] The second portion 132 includes a pair of contacts 132e which each establish a mechanical and electrical contact with a detection terminal of the male electrical connector 200, and a substantially U-shaped arm 132b.
    [0019] The contacts 132e are inverted U-shaped, and are formed at the terminal ends of the arm 132b. Each of the contacts 132a has a contact surface 132c so that the contact surfaces 132c of the contacts 132a face each other. The contact surfaces 132c are perpendicular to the arm 132b. The contact surfaces 132c are provided with a projection so as to be curved, protruding towards one another, in order to ensure sufficient contact with a detection terminal of the male electrical connector 200.
    [0020] The arm 132b is made from a sheet, and acts as a spring. The arm 132b has two extensions defining a "U" spaced from each other by a shorter distance and smaller in width in a position closer to the end ends of the arm 132b to elastically deform to clamp. between them a detection terminal of the male electrical connector 200. The arm 132b is located substantially parallel to a detection terminal of the male electrical connector 200 when the female and male electrical connectors 100 and 200 are nested one inside the other . The fourth portion 133 is in the form of a bar, and is elastically deformable as a function of the displacement of the second portion 132. The fourth portion 133 is connected to one end thereof at a proximal end of the arm 132. is illustrated in Figure 6, the fourth portion 133 stands from an imaginary plane S comprising the arm 132, and is connected at its other end to the first portion 131. More specifically, the fourth portion 133 extends vertically to connect the first portion 131 extending above and parallel to the imaginary plane S at a proximal end of the arm 132b. In addition, the fourth portion 133 and the first portion 131 are both in the center of the two extensions defining a "U" of the arm 132b when viewed from above the arm 132b. The first portion 131 extends in the same direction as a direction in which the arm 132b extends. The third portion 134 forms a continuous piece at a proximal end 134s thereof with the first portion 131 to act as a leaf spring. The third portion 134 slopes downwardly relative to the first portion 131 from the proximal end 134s to a terminal end 134t thereof.
    [0021] The third portion 134 is designed to be smaller in width in a position closer to the terminal end 134s thereof. The third portion 134 is bent upward at its end end 134t to thereby define a curved sliding contact portion 134a. Since the third portion 134 extends into the opening 111b through the gap 111c, the gap 111c and the opening 111b are in continuity with one another without being separated by a partition wall.
    [0022] The manufacturing process of the first detection terminal 130 having the structure as mentioned above is explained below. First, a single thin sheet having an elasticity is prepared.
    [0023] Then, the sheet is deformed at an area where the contact surfaces 132c are to be formed, thereby forming curved walls. Then, the sheet is punched into a sheet 300 having a shape illustrated in FIG. 9.
    [0024] The contact surfaces 132a are formed by raised metal pieces 301 extending from end ends of the arm 132b in a spacing direction from each other, and folding the metal pieces 301 into a "U" shape. Inverted so that the metal parts 301 define an interior space. The sliding contact portion 134a is formed by bending upward the end end 134t of the third portion 134. In addition, the third portion 134 is caused to tilt downward, i.e. a direction opposite to a direction in which the metal pieces 301 are raised, around the proximal end 134s of the third portion 134 (a boundary between the first portion 131 and the third portion 134). The first portion 131 is folded in a direction opposite to a direction in which the metal pieces 301 are raised, and further, downward 90 degrees relative to the fourth portion 133. The fourth portion 133 is folded in one direction opposed to a direction in which the first portion 131 is folded, and further upwardly 90 degrees relative to the arm 132b. Thus, the fourth portion 133 and the first portion 131 are folded into L-shape relative to each other. That is, the first portion 131 extends perpendicularly to the fourth portion 133, and the fourth portion 133 rises relative to the arm 132b. The first detection terminal 130 is thus terminated. The male electrical connector 200 is explained below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 10 to 12.
    [0025] The male electrical connector 200 comprises a housing 210 which can be fitted into the housing 111 of the female electrical connector 100, contact terminals 220 to be electrically connected to the female electrical connector 100, and a pair of second detection terminals 230 intended to establish a mechanical and electrical contact with the first detection terminal 130 of the female electrical connector 100 to thereby detect whether the female and male electrical connectors 100 and 200 are electrically nested one inside the other.
    [0026] The housing 210 is in the form of a box, and is made by resin molding. The housing 210 is defined by a ceiling 211, side walls 212 facing each other, a bottom 213, and a rear wall 214. The housing 210 is formed with an interior space 215.
    [0027] The ceiling 211 is formed on an inner surface with a pair of engagement projections 211a. A terminal support 216 extends straight from an inner surface of the rear wall 214 to an opening of the interior space 215.
    [0028] The second sense terminals 230 are formed on opposite side walls of the terminal support 216. The terminal support 216 is formed on an upper surface with a tapered surface 216a tilting upward from an opening of the interior space 215 to the rear wall 214. Here, the upper surface of the terminal support 216 indicates a surface on which the third portion 133 of the detection terminal makes contact at the sliding contact portion 134a when the female and male electrical connectors. 100 and 200 are nested one inside the other. The engagement projections 211a are located at an opening of the interior space 215 so that they can be engaged with the projections 113a (see Fig. 1) of the locking arm 113. The four contact terminals Males 220 are disposed in a line in the interior space 215 in a widthwise direction of the housing 210 in correspondence with the female contact terminals 120 shown in FIG. 2. Each of the male contact terminals 220 comprises a needle contact 221. extending into the inner space 215 of the rear wall 214, and an inverted L-shaped terminal 222 extending outwardly of the housing 210 from the rear wall 214. Each of the second detection terminals 230 consists of an elongated thin metal piece extending at opposite side walls of the support terminal 216 in the Al direction (see Fig. 1) from a leading edge to a trailing edge of the support terminal 216. The second detection terminal 230 includes a contact 231 (see Fig. 12) at one end end, and an inverted L-shaped pin terminal 232 extending through the rear wall 214. The following is explained how the connector female electrical 100 according to the embodiment is fitted into the male electrical connector 200, and how the female electrical connector 100 is used. Firstly, the female electrical connector 100 is advanced towards the front thereof in the interior space 215 of the male electrical connector 200. As is illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 15, advancing the female electrical connector 100 in the inner space 215 of the male electrical connector 200, the terminal holder 216 is inserted into the opening 111b of the female electrical box 110, and is advanced to the first detection terminal 130. Since the guides 112 (see FIG. 1) of the housing 110 advance in the housing 210 along an inner wall of the interior space 215, the housing 110 can be inserted straight into the interior space 215. While the housing 110 is inserted into the space inside 215, the third portion 134 of the first detection terminal 130 makes a contact at the sliding contact portion 134a with an upper surface of the terminal support 216, and slides on the terminal support 21 6 by holding the sliding contact portion 134a in order to be in contact with the upper surface of the terminal support 216. The engagement projections 211a of the male electrical connector 100 abut at the front portions conically with the front ends. conical projections 113a of the locking arm 113, and then, the male contact terminals 200 begin to make contact with the female contact terminals 120 (see Figure 2).
    [0029] Advancing the housing 110 of the female electrical connector 100 once the engagement projections 211a have abutted at the front portions conical with the tapered front portions of the projections 113a, as illustrated in FIGS. projections 113e are pushed downwards by the tapered front portions of the engagement projections 211a, and therefore, the lock arm 113 is pushed down towards the gap 111c. Since the locking arm 113 is connected at a front end to the body 111, and is free at a rear end, the front end of the locking arm 113 exerts an upwardly directed reaction force on the rear end. rear end of the locking arm 113, and the locking arm 113 is made to sink at the rear end with the forward end acting as a fulcrum, as shown in FIG. 17 In addition, since the conical surface 216a of the terminal support 216 is located below the sliding contact portion 134a of the third portion 134, the third portion 134 is pushed upwardly by the conical surface 216a, and thus , the third portion 134 begins to assist the locking arm 113 to return to its original position. Here, the original position of the locking arm 113 indicates a position shown in Fig. 13. At this point, since the locking arm 113 is pushed down towards the gap 111c with the result that the engagement projections 211e are in abutment with the projections 113a, the first detection terminal 130 is therefore below the contact 231 of the second detection terminal 230. Then, as illustrated in FIGS. 19 to 21, when the projections engagement 211a pass over protrusions 113a, locking arm 113 resiliently returns to its original position, engagement projections 211e and protrusions 113a face each other at the rear surfaces thereof and are engaged with each other. Engagement between the engagement projections 211a and the projections 113a prevents the female electrical connector 100 from being released from the male electrical connector 200. As a result of the fact that the lock arm 113 has returned elastically to its original position the first detection terminal 130 fixed with respect to the locking arm 113 also moves upwards, and thus the second portion 132 of the first detection terminal 130 makes contact with the contact 231 of the second detection terminal 230 disposed on the terminal support 216. While the second portion 132 makes contact with the contact 231, the contact surfaces 132c (see Fig. 21) of the first detection terminal 130 and the contacts 231 of the second detection terminal 230 are wiped by each other. Since the detection terminal 131 is fixed on the locking arm 113 by the first portion 131, the contact surfaces 132c of the first detection terminal 130 slide with the contacts 231 of the second detection terminal 230 when the locking arm 113 flips around the front end. Thus, even if the contact surfaces 132c and / or the contacts 231 have been contaminated and / or corroded, the contamination and / or the corrosion can be wiped thanks to the friction force generated by the sliding movement between the contact surfaces. 132c and the contacts 231, ensuring an improvement in the reliability of the electrical connection between the first detection terminal 130 and the second detection terminal 230. The male contact terminals 220 and the female contact terminals 120 make contact with the with each other in the above-mentioned process, as illustrated in FIG. 22. As shown in FIG. 20, when the locking arm 113 elastically returns to its original position, the rear end the locking arm 113 moves upwards relative to a position where the rear end of the locking arm 113 is sinking. Since the sliding contact portion 134a of the third portion 134 slides on the conical surface 216a, the sliding contact portion 134a moves upward simultaneously. Thus, a gap between an upper surface of the terminal support 216 and the proximal end 134s of the third portion 134 is reduced, and the third portion 134 may therefore provide an increased elastic force. Therefore, even after the locking arm 113 has returned to its original position, the third portion 134 pushes up the first portion 131 with the sliding contact portion 134a which acts as a fulcrum .
    [0030] Therefore, even if it were difficult for the locking arm 113 to return to its original position because a resistor with which the second portion 132 and the contacts 231 of the second detection terminal 230 slip one on the other is increased, or that the locking arm 113 provides a reduced elastic reaction force at the front end, the third portion 134 pushes up the locking arm 113 to thereby assist the locking arm 113 to return to its original position. As has been explained so far, since the female electrical connector 100 according to the preferred embodiment is adapted to include the third portion 134 for assisting the locking arm 113 to return to its original position, the locking arm 112 may be assisted by the third portion 134 of the first detection terminal 130 so that it can safely return to its original position. Thus, the female electrical connector 100 to be fitted into a male electrical connector 200 can provide high reliability to the electrical connection between them.
    [0031] Since the third portion 134 is integrally formed with the first portion 131 as a portion of the first detection terminal 130, the first detection terminal 130 may consist of a single thin metal plate having elasticity.
    [0032] When the female electrical connector 100 is nested in the male electrical connector 200, the third portion 134 makes a contact at the sliding contact portion 134t with the support terminal 216 on which the second detection terminal 230 is provided, and push up the locking arm 113 via the proximal end 134s. For example, a fulcrum at which the third portion 134 helps the locking arm 113 to return to its original position can be formed in the body 111 of the housing 110, in which case it is necessary to fix the third part. 134 on, for example, a partition wall formed between the interval 111c necessary for the locking arm 113 to rock, and the opening 111b in which the terminal support 216 is inserted. In this situation, the locking arm 113 continues to be pushed by the third portion 134. The third portion 134 begins to assist the locking arm 113 to return to its original position when the third portion 134 makes contact with the support terminal 216 entering the housing 110, i.e. when the female electrical connector 100 is nested in the female electrical connector 200. Thus, before the locking arm 113 is engaged in the housing 210 of the male electrical connector 100, the locking arm 113 may be slightly elastically deformed. In addition, since the third portion 134 makes a contact at the slip contact portion 134a formed at the terminal end 134t thereof, with the terminal support 216 of the male electrical connector 200, it is not necessary that the male electrical connector 200 comprises a partition wall and so on to fix the end end 134t of the third portion 134 on it. Thus, the body 111 of the female electrical connector 110 may be designed to have a simple structure. Below is explained a case in which the female electrical connector 100 or the male electrical connector 200 flips horizontally or vertically depending on an interval formed between the housing 110 and the interior space 215 of the housing 210. If one of the electrical connectors male and female 100 and 200 moves vertically relative to each other, that is to say in a direction perpendicular to the imaginary plane S in which the arm 132b exists, the second detection terminal 230 also moves in the same direction. Since the contacts 132a of the first sense terminal 130 clamping the second sense terminal 230 to each other are designed to have the contact surface 132c extending perpendicularly to the arm 132b, even if the second sense terminal 230 moves vertically, the contact surfaces 132c can be kept in contact with the contact 231 of the second detection terminal 230. If one of the male and female electrical connectors 100 and 200 moves horizontally with respect to the other, that is to say in a direction in which the imaginary plane S extends, the second detection terminal 230 moves in the same direction, and tilts with respect to the first detection terminal 130 (see Fig. 23). As shown in Fig. 21, the first portion 131 of the first detection terminal 130 is attached to the lock arm 113 formed at the housing 110, and the arm 132b (see Fig. 5) of the second portion 132. encloses the second detection terminal 230 thanks to its elasticity. Thus, as shown in Fig. 23, even if the fourth portion 133 is twisted in any direction, the second portion 132 retains its position, i.e., continues to clamp the second detection terminal 230 without being elastically deformed. As a result, the contacts 132a can remain in contact with the second detection terminal 230 without reducing a contact pressure therebetween. Thus, the first detection terminal 130 can maintain a contact pressure with which the first detection terminal 130 makes contact with the second detection terminal 230, providing an improvement in the reliability for the electrical contact therebetween. For simplification, the first portion 131 and the third portion 134 of the first detection terminal 130 are not shown in FIG. 23. Since the fourth portion 133 is connected to the proximal end of the arm 132b, even though the second terminal With a pair of contacts 132a a contact 230 moves with a degree of displacement, a degree that the fourth portion 133 is elastically deformed can be reduced by a length of the arm 132b. Therefore, it is not necessary to design the fourth portion 133 as being able to withstand the elastic deformation, and the fourth portion 133 may consist of a thin sheet. Since a pair of the contacts 132a encloses the second detection terminal 230 at outer surfaces of the second detection terminal 230, the arm 132b can be tilted as the head is shaken, if the second detection terminal 230 moves between them. contacts 132a. Thus, the second detection terminal 230 can move with an increased degree. In addition, since the fourth portion 133 is constituted by a plate connected at one end to the second portion 132 and at the other end to the first portion 131, the fourth portion 133 can easily be elastically deformed, in that ensuring that the second part 132 can follow the movement of the second detection terminal 230. INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION The present invention is adapted to an electrical connector widely used in a field such as the automotive industry, the electrical or electronic industry, and different machine industries, as a device for the connection of wires through which electrical signals are transmitted.
    权利要求:
    Claims (10)
    [0001]
    REVENDICATIONS1. An electrical connector (100) characterized in that it comprises: a housing (110) to be fitted into a second electrical connector (200); a locking arm (113) which elastically deforms when said locking arm (113) makes contact with an engaging portion (211a) of said second electrical connector (200), and then returns to its position of origin, when said electrical connector (100) and said second electrical connector (200) are nested one inside the other; a first detection terminal (130) for detecting whether said electrical connector (100) and said second electrical connector (200) are electrically nested one inside the other; and a unit (134) for assisting said lock arm (113) to return to said original position, said lock arm (113), said first detection terminal (130), and said unit (134) being disposed in said housing (110), said first detection terminal (130) including a first portion (131) to be fixed with respect to said locking arm (113), and a second portion (132) for making contact therewith a second detection terminal (230) of said second electrical connector (200).
    [0002]
    The electrical connector (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that said unit (134) is formed as a part of said first detection terminal (130) in one piece with said first portion (131). ).
    [0003]
    An electrical connector (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said unit (134) has a free end (134t) which makes contact with a portion (216) of said second electrical connector (200) when said housing (110) and said second electrical connector (200) are nested one inside the other, said unit (134) exerting a reaction force on said locking arm (113) through said first portion (131) fixed relative to said locking arm (113), wherein said free end (134t) making contact with said portion (216) acts as a fulcrum.
    [0004]
    4. Electrical connector (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said unit (134) comprises a leaf spring providing an elastic force.
    [0005]
    5. Electrical connector (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said unit (134) inclines with respect to said first portion (131).
    [0006]
    The electrical connector (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said unit (134) is smaller in width in a position closer to an end end thereof.
    [0007]
    7. Electrical connector (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said unit (134) is curved at one end end.
    [0008]
    Electrical connector (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said first detection terminal (130) further comprises a fourth portion (133) connecting said first and second parts (131, 132). to one another, said fourth portion (133) being elastically deformable as a function of a displacement of said second portion (132).
    [0009]
    Electrical connector (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said second portion (132) is substantially U-shaped, in which two extensions defining the "U" are spaced apart from each other. the other a shorter distance and are smaller in width in a position closer to the terminal ends.
    [0010]
    10. Electrical connector (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said first detection terminal (130) is manufactured in a single sheet (300) having an elasticity.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    US9300089B2|2016-03-29|
    JP2015097184A|2015-05-21|
    US20150140853A1|2015-05-21|
    JP5786924B2|2015-09-30|
    DE102014223099A1|2015-05-21|
    FR3013520B1|2017-09-22|
    引用文献:
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    DE19600542A1|1995-01-09|1996-07-18|Yazaki Corp|Plug connector arrangement with connection verification device|
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    JP2008159504A|2006-12-26|2008-07-10|Sumitomo Wiring Syst Ltd|Connector|CN202712607U|2012-08-03|2013-01-30|泰科电子有限公司|Plug connector and electric connector assembly|
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    法律状态:
    2015-10-16| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 2 |
    2016-05-20| PLSC| Search report ready|Effective date: 20160520 |
    2016-10-13| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 3 |
    2017-10-11| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 4 |
    2018-10-05| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 5 |
    2019-10-21| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 6 |
    2021-08-06| ST| Notification of lapse|Effective date: 20210705 |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    JP2013237344A|JP5786924B2|2013-11-15|2013-11-15|Electrical connector|
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