Connector

This invention relates to a connector, and more particularly, to a connector for mounting on a panel.

One known connector of this type is shown in FIG. 10.

The connector 1 shown in FIG. 10 is a so-called door-waiting connector fixed to a body or a door of an automobile. Connector 1 includes at its front side a peripheral hood portion 2 for receiving a mating connector therein. Abutment support plates 2a are respectively formed on and extend perpendicularly from upper and lower faces of the peripheral hood portion 2 at the front end of the hood portion. When the peripheral hood portion 2 is inserted a predetermined distance through a mounting hole 3a formed through a body retaining plate 3, the abutment support plates 2a abut against the edge portion of the mounting hole 3a.

A flexible locking arm 2b extends from the inner edge of the abutment support plate 2a in the same direction as the direction of extension of the peripheral hood portion 2, and a retaining pawl 2b.sub.1 is formed on the outer surface of the locking arm 2b on the same side as the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral hood portion 2. The front portion of the retaining pawl 2b.sub.1 has a slanting surface 2b.sub.1a slanting outwardly of the peripheral hood portion 2 toward the rear end of the retaining pawl. The rear end of the retaining pawl 2b.sub.1 has a vertical surface 2b.sub.1b generally parallel to the abutment support plate 2a.

When the peripheral hood portion 2 of the connector 1 of this construction is inserted through the mounting hole 3a of the body retaining plate 3, the slanting surface 2b.sub.1a of the retaining pawl 2b.sub.1 of each locking arm 2 is engaged with the inner edge of the mounting hole 3a, so that the locking arm 2 is flexed inwardly of the peripheral hood portion 2. When the peripheral hood portion 2 is further inserted, each abutment plate 2a abuts against the body retaining plate 3, and at the same time, the vertical surface 2b.sub.1b of the retaining pawl passes past the mounting hole 3a, so that the locking arm 2 is restored into its initial configuration. In this condition, the vertical surface 2b.sub.1b holds, together with the abutment support plate 2a, the body retaining plate 3 therebetween, and the connector 1 is fixedly retained in the mounting hole 3a.

The above conventional connector has an advantage that it can be easily mounted on the body retaining plate 3, but also has the following problems.

When a mating connector 4 is to be inserted into the peripheral hood portion 2 for connection purposes after the connector 1 is fixedly retained in the mounting hole, a sufficient space for effecting this operation is, in most cases, not available. Therefore, it is impossible to insert the mating connector 4 into the peripheral hood portion 2 from the front side, and therefore it is intended to insert the mating connector into the peripheral hood portion 2 somewhat from the upper side or the lower side. At this time, upon abutment of the front end of the connector 4 against the front end of the locking arm 2b, the locking arm 2b is flexed inwardly of the peripheral hood portion 2, as shown in FIG. 11(A), so that the engagement of the locking pawl 2b.sub.1 is released. As a result, the connector 1 is disengaged from the mounting hole 3a, as shown in FIG. 11(B). Particularly when the connector 1 is installed on the door in such a manner that it is directed from the inner side toward the outer side, the connector 1 falls in the interior of the door, and cannot easily be removed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problem, and an object of the invention is to provide a connector of the type that can be easily installed, and also is prevented from being displaced from a predetermined position after it is installed.

To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a connector adapted to be inserted through a mounting hole in a fixed panel member and lockingly held on an edge portion of the mounting hole by a locking arm formed on a peripheral portion of the connector. The connector includes an arm stopper that is connected by a flexible connection portion to a retainer that retains metal terminals, held by the connector, in a double-locking manner. The arm stopper is movable into and out of a space portion formed in a flexing direction of the locking arm.

In the present invention, the retainer is attached to the connector to achieve a double-lock or a complete lock of the metal terminals, and the arm stopper connected to the retainer by the connection portion is movable into and out of the space portion formed in the flexing direction of the locking arm. The connector is installed in the mounting hole, with the arm stopper disposed out of the space portion, and the arm stopper is inserted into the space portion, whereupon the locking arm cannot be flexed, so that the connector cannot be substantially removed from the mounting hole. If necessary, the arm stopper is moved out of the space portion, and the locking arm is flexible in the space portion to enable the connector to be removed from the mounting hole. The arm stopper is connected to the retainer by the connection portion and therefore is connected to the connector when the retainer is attached to the connector. Therefore, when the connector is to be installed, it is not necessary to accommodate additional component parts, and moreover, they can be mounted at the same time.

As described above, in the present invention, by moving the arm stopper into and out of the predetermined position, the removal of the connector is made possible or impossible. Therefore, there is provided the type of connector that is prevented from removal when necessary, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the operation. Particularly when the retainer and the arm stopper are mounted at the same time, the efficiency of the operation is enhanced, and furthermore, because they are integral with each other, the cost is reduced.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of a connector of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partly-broken, front-elevational view of the connector;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the connector during its assembling step;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the connector during its assembling step;

FIGS. 5(A) and (B) are vertical and horizontal cross-sectional views of the connector during the assembling step, respectively;

FIGS. 6(A) and (B) are vertical and horizontal cross-sectional views of the connector during the assembling step, respectively;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the connector during the assembling step;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the connector during the assembling step;

FIGS. 9(A) and (B) are vertical and horizontal cross-sectional views of the connector during the assembling step;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional connector in its installed condition; and

FIGS. 11(A) and (B) are cross-sectional views showing the process of disengagement of the conventional connector.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of a connector of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a partly-broken, top plan view thereof.

In these figures, a connector body 10 includes a rearwardly-extending body projection portion 12 having terminal receiving chambers 11 that are arranged in two rows and eight columns. A metal terminal having an electric wire clamped thereto is inserted into the terminal receiving chamber 11 from the front side thereof, and is retained there. A retainer 20 to be mated with the connector body 10 is attached to the connector body in a provisionally-retained condition before the metal terminals are inserted, and after the metal terminals are inserted, the retainer is completely retained to hold the metal terminals in a double-locked condition. A double-lock function performed by retaining pieces 21 of the retainer 20 is well known, and therefore will not be described here.

Engagement pieces 22a and 22b vertically spaced a predetermined distance from each other are formed on each of the opposite (right and left) ends of the retainer 20, and are directed toward the connector body 10. Engagement holes 22c.sub.1 and 22c.sub.2 are formed in each of the engagement pieces 22a and 22b and are spaced a predetermined distance from each other in a direction from the front to the rear. Strap-like connection portions 23a and 23b are connected at ends thereof, respectively, to the front ends of the engagement pieces 22a and 22b, and the other ends of the connection portions 23a and 23b are connected to a freely-movable arm stopper (spacer) 24 having a predetermined width. The connection portions 23a and 23b and the arm stoppers 24 are preferably formed integrally with the retainer 20.

Since the connection portions 23a and 23b are in the form of a strap, they can be bent to bring the arm stopper 24 toward the engagement pieces 22a and 22b. The arm stopper 24 has a guide projection 24a at its one face that is faceable to the two engagement pieces 22a and 22b. Guide projection 24a can be inserted into a space between the two engagement pieces 22a and 22b when the arm stopper 24 is brought into adjoining relation with the engagement pieces 22a and 22b. A groove 24a.sub.1 is formed in one surface of the guide projection 24a that is faceable to the engagement pieces 22a and 22b and extends in the direction of the length of the engagement pieces 22a and 22b. Locking arms 24b, which can be flexed upward and downward, are formed respectively on the upper and lower surfaces of the arm stopper 24, the upper and lower locking arms 24b having their respective retaining pawls 24b.sub.1 directed upwardly and downwardly, respectively.

Two guide pieces 25 extend from the retainer toward the connector body 10 and are disposed respectively between the left engagement pieces 22a and 22b and the retaining pieces 21 and between the right engagement pieces 22a and 22b and the retaining pieces 21.

A stepped portion 13 is formed adjacent the front side of the body projection portion 12 and is a size larger in peripheral length than the body projection portion 12, the stepped portion 13 corresponding in shape to a mounting hole 31 in a mounting panel 30. A flange 14 is formed adjacent the front side of the stepped portion 13 and is a size larger than the mounting hole 31. A locking arm 15 is formed on each of the opposite sides of the stepped portion 13 and can be flexed inwardly. An engagement hole or space 16, into which the locking arm 15 is introduced when the locking arm 15 is flexed inwardly, is provided inwardly of the side surface of the locking arm 15.

The engagement pieces 22a and 22b and the arm stopper 24 can be inserted into the engagement hole 16. There are provided projections 16a that can fit in the engagement holes 22c.sub.1 and 22c.sub.2 of the engagement pieces 22a and 22b. There are also provided projections 16b that can engage the locking arms 24b of the arm stoppers 24, respectively. The projection 16a projects outwardly from the inner side wall of the engagement hole 16. The projections 16b project inwardly, that is, downwardly and upwardly, from the upper and lower walls of the engagement hole 16, respectively. A ridge-like projection 16c is formed on the inner wall having projections 16a and is disposed generally centrally of the height of this inner wall, the ridge-like projection 16c coacting with the groove 24a.sub.1 formed on the arm stopper 24. The dimension of the interior of the engagement hole 16 in the widthwise direction is generally equal to the maximum thickness obtained when the arm stopper 24 is brought into adjoining relation to the engagement pieces 22a and 22b.

Provided between the engagement hole 16 and the terminal receiving chamber 11 is a guide hole 17 that guides the guide piece 25 when this guide piece is inserted.

The operation of this embodiment of the above construction will now be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 3, each arm stopper 24 is brought into adjoining relation with the engagement pieces 22a and 22b. Namely, the arm stopper 24 is moved toward the engagement pieces 22a and 22b with the strap-like connection portions 23a and 23b flexed, so that the guide projection 24a is received in the space between the two engagement pieces 22a and 22b.

The retainer 20 is then attached to the connector body 10 as shown in FIG. 4. More specifically, the retaining pieces 21 of the retainer 20 are inserted respectively into the terminal receiving chambers 11 of the connector body 10 from the front side of the connector body. Immediately after the retaining pieces 21 begin to be inserted, the guide pieces 25 begin to be inserted into the guide holes 17, respectively, and the retainer 20 is brought into a proper position relative to the connector body 10 by the cooperation of the guide pieces 25 with the guide holes 17.

On the other hand, almost simultaneously when the guide pieces 25 begin to be inserted into the guide holes 17, respectively, the distal ends of the engagement pieces 22a and 22b begin to be inserted into the corresponding engagement hole 16, and subsequently each arm stopper 24 also begins to be inserted into the engagement hole 16. At this time, the arm stopper is so positioned that the groove 24a.sub.1 in the guide projection 24a can be engaged with the ridge-like projection 16c.

As the engagement pieces 22a and 22b are inserted into the engagement hole 16, their distal ends abut respectively against the projections 16a, projected outwardly from the inner wall of the engagement hole 16, and slide respectively over projections 16a. Then, when each engagement hole 22c.sub.1 reaches the corresponding projection 16a, they are engaged with each other as shown in FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B), so that the retainer 20 and the connector body 10 are held in a provisionally-retained condition.

In the provisionally-retained condition, as shown in FIG. 5(A), the retaining pawls 24b.sub.1 of the locking arm 24b of the arm stopper 24 are engaged respectively with the front walls of the projections 16b extending inwardly respectively from the upper and lower walls of the engagement hole 16, thereby preventing the arm stopper 24 from further moving into the engagement hole 16 from this inlet portion.

When the retainer 20 is held in the provisionally-retained condition, the metal terminals each having an electric wire clamped thereto are inserted respectively into the terminal receiving chambers 11, and the retainer 20 is forced into the connector body 10. When the retainer 20 is thus pushed in, the engagement pieces 22a and 22b advance in the engagement hole 16, and when the retainer 20 is brought generally into intimate contact with the front face of the connector body 10, the engagement holes 22c.sub.2 of the engagement pieces 22a and 22b reach the projections 16a, respectively, and are engaged with the projections 16a, respectively, so that the retainer 20 and the connector body 10 are held in a completely-retained condition, as shown in FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B).

Even when the retainer 20 is thus pushed in, each arm stopper 24 is held in the vicinity of the inlet portion of the engagement hole 16, as described above, and the inner portion of the engagement hole 16 provides a sufficient space so that the locking arm 15 can be flexed toward the engagement hole 16.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the body projection portion 12 of the connector body 10 is inserted through the mounting hole 31 in the mounting panel 30. At this time, the retaining pawl 15a formed on the distal end of each locking arm 15 abuts against the peripheral edge of the mounting hole 31 and therefore is flexed toward the engagement hole 16. When retaining pawl 15a is brought to the reverse side of the mounting panel 30, the locking arm 15 is linearly restored. As a result, the retaining pawl 15a and the flange 14 hold the mounting panel 30 therebetween, so that the connector body 10 is retained in the mounting hole 31, as shown in FIG. 8.

In this condition, each arm stopper 24 is further forced into the engagement hole 16. The retaining pawls 24b.sub.1 of the locking arms 24b are held respectively against the front walls of the projections 16 to thereby prevent the arm stopper from further advancing. However, by forcibly pushing the arm stopper, the locking arms 24b are flexed inwardly, so that the retaining pawls 24b.sub.1 slide over the projections 16b, respectively, and are brought into the inner portion of the engagement hole 16, as shown in FIGS. 9(A) and 9(B). When the arm stopper 24 is thus brought deep into the engagement hole 16, the engagement hole 16 ceases to provide a sufficient space to enable the flexing of the locking arm 15. Therefore, even if there is encountered a force tending to push the retaining pawl 15a inwardly, the retaining pawl 15a does not move since the locking arm 15 itself is not flexed, and therefore the retaining pawl is prevented from being withdrawn from the mounting hole 31.

In the above embodiment, although the arm stopper 24 is connected to the retainer by the two strap-like connection portions 23a and 23b, this connection may be done by a single connection portion, and also the strap-like configuration may be replaced by any other suitable configuration.

Although whether or not the arm stopper 24 enters deep into the engagement hole 16 prohibits or allows the flexing of the locking arm 15, the arm stopper 24 may have a recess in which the locking arm 15 may be received, and the arm stopper 24 may be movable. In this case, the position of the recess is changed by moving the arm stopper 24, and when the recess and the locking arm 15 are in registry with each other, the locking arm can be flexed, and when the recess and the locking arm 15 are out of registry with each other, flexing is prohibited. Similarly, a projection may be formed on the reverse surface of the locking arm 15, in which case an engagement hole for receiving the projection is formed in the arm stopper 24.

While the invention has been described with reference to the structure disclosed, it is not confined to the details set forth, but is intended to cover such modifications or changes as may come within the scope of the following claims.