JP6935088B2 - Electrical connector - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electric connector capable of detecting the semi-fitted state when it is in a semi-fitted state with the electric connector on the other side.

As an electric connector, there is known a configuration in which an electric connector is electrically connected to the other side electric connector by being fitted with the other side electric connector (see, for example, Patent Document 1). More specifically, the electrical connector and the mating electrical connector have housings and contacts, respectively. Then, the housing of the other side electric connector is fitted into the housing of the electric connector, so that the contacts of the respective connectors come into contact with each other.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-77440

If the amount of the mating electrical connector inserted into the electrical connector is slightly less than the regular insertion amount, the electrical connector and the mating electrical connector are actually in the proper mating state, even though they appear to be in the proper mating state. The mating connector is not in the regular mating state of the electrical connector, which is the so-called semi-fitting state. In this case, the contact of the electric connector and the contact of the other side electric connector are not in contact with each other, or the contact state becomes unstable, resulting in poor contact. If such semi-fitting can be detected, poor contact between the connectors can be prevented. However, in order to inspect whether or not these connectors are in a semi-fitted state with the electrical connector and the mating electrical connector assembled to each other, an inspection probe is inserted into a cable extending from the connector, etc. Continuity inspection is required and it takes time and effort.

In view of the above circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electric connector capable of reliably and easily detecting a semi-fitting of a connector.

(1) The electric connector according to a certain aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object is an electric connector fitted to a mating side electric connector, and is a housing and the mating side electric connector attached to the housing. The semi-fitting includes a contact for contacting the contact and a semi-fitting detection unit for detecting whether or not the mating electrical connector is fitted to the electrical connector at a regular fitting position. The go-detector includes a pair of conductive inspection members attached to the housing and a pair of said when the mating electrical connector is not located at the regular mating position in the electrical connector. The inspection members are insulated, and the pair of inspection members are short-circuited with each other as the mating electrical connector is arranged at the regular fitting position.

According to this configuration, the pair of inspection members are insulated when the mating electrical connector is not located at the proper mating position in the electrical connector. On the other hand, the pair of inspection members are short-circuited with each other as the mating electrical connector is placed at the regular mating position. With this configuration, in the so-called semi-fitting state, in which the mating side electric connector is fitted to the electric connector but the mating side electric connector is not arranged at the regular fitting position, a pair of inspection members Are insulated from each other. Therefore, in the semi-fitted state, no current flows between the pair of inspection members. Therefore, by inspecting the continuity state between the pair of inspection members using an inspection device or the like, the state of continuity is not in the conductive state, that is, in the semi-fitted state. It can be reliably detected. Further, if the other side electric connector and the electric connector are in a normal mating state, the pair of inspection members are short-circuited with each other. It is possible to reliably detect that the electric connector and the electric connector are in a normal mating state. Moreover, the inspection for detecting the semi-fitting does not need to be performed by piercing the probe of the inspection device into, for example, the electric wire extending from the electric connector on the other side, and the semi-fitting of the connector can be detected reliably and easily. ..

(2) Each of the inspection members includes a reinforcing tab fixed to a substrate on which the electric connector is mounted and a short-circuit tab electrically connected to the reinforcing tab, and the other side electric connector is the same. The pair of short-circuit tabs may be configured to be short-circuited to each other when placed in a regular mating position.

According to this configuration, a reinforcing tab for fixing the electric connector to the substrate can be used as a conduction path for semi-fitting detection. As a result, it is not necessary to insert the inspection device for semi-fitting detection into the inside of the electric connector or the electric wire extending from the other side electric connector, and the semi-fitting inspection can be performed more easily.

(3) In each of the inspection members, the reinforcing tab and the short-circuiting tab may be formed by using different members.

According to this configuration, since the reinforcing tab and the short-circuit tab are separate members, the versatility of the inspection member can be significantly increased. More specifically, as the number of poles of the electric connector increases, the number of contacts in the electric connector increases, so that the width of the housing of the electric connector becomes long. At this time, if the reinforcing tab and the short-circuit tab are integrally molded, it is necessary to prepare an inspection member having a different length of the short-circuit tab for each type of the number of poles of the electric connector. As a result, the labor for manufacturing the inspection member and the labor for managing the parts increase, and the manufacturing cost of the electric connector becomes high. On the other hand, since the reinforcing tab and the short-circuiting tab are separate members, the reinforcing tab can be composed of the same type of parts regardless of the number of poles of the electric connector. Then, only the type of the short-circuit tab among the inspection members needs to be changed according to the number of poles of the electric connector. As a result, the labor for manufacturing the inspection member and the labor for managing the parts can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the electric connector can be reduced.

(4) The short-circuit tabs may be formed in the same shape as each other, and may be arranged symmetrically in the width direction of the electric connector to form a pair of the inspection members.

In this case, the types of parts of the electric connector can be further reduced, and as a result, the manufacturing cost of the electric connector can be further reduced.

(5) The short-circuit tab includes a along portion along the outer surface of the housing, and a through-hole portion is formed in the along portion, and the short-circuit tab is inside the through-hole portion. It may include a fixing piece that extends from the peripheral edge toward the housing and is fixed to the housing.

In this case, the short-circuit tab can be fixed to the housing by the fixing piece of the short-circuit tab. Further, since the fixing piece portion extends from the inner peripheral edge portion of the through hole portion of the short-circuit tab, the fixing piece portion does not have to extend so as to protrude to the outside of the short-circuit tab. As a result, the shunt tab can be made smaller. Further, for example, when the short-circuit tab is formed by press working, the fixing piece portion can be formed by punching the inner portion of the short-circuit tab.

(6) The short-circuit tab includes a along portion along the outer surface of the housing, and the along portion is provided with a fixing piece portion fixed to the housing and the mating side electric connector. A short-circuiting piece for contacting the mating short-circuiting tab is provided, and the fixing piece and the short-circuiting piece may extend in the same direction from the side portion. ..

In this case, since the fixing piece and the short-circuiting piece extend in the same direction from the side portion, the thickness of the short-circuiting tab as a whole can be made thinner. When the short-circuit tab is manufactured by press working, the fixing piece and the short-circuiting piece are bent in the same direction so that the fixing piece and the short-circuiting piece are short-circuited. Can form one part. As a result, the labor required for manufacturing the shunt tab can be further reduced.

(7) The other side electric connector includes a other side electric connector housing, a other side electric connector contact attached to the other side electric connector housing for contacting the contact of the electric connector, and the other side electric connector housing. The mating side short-circuiting tab comes into contact with the pair of the mating-side short-circuiting tabs by arranging the mating-side electrical connector at the regular fitting position. As a result, the pair of short-circuit tabs may be short-circuited with each other.

In this case, the pair of short-circuit tabs can be reliably short-circuited to each other by arranging the mating electrical connector at the regular fitting position.

(8) When the housing has a pair of short-circuit holes for opening the space in the housing toward the pair of inspection members, and the mating electrical connector is arranged at the regular fitting position. In addition, each of the inspection members comes into contact with the other-side short-circuit tab as the conductive other-side short-circuit tab provided on the other-side electric connector goes to the outside of the housing through the corresponding short-circuit hole. May be configured to.

In this case, the mating short-circuit tab is displaced toward the outside of the housing as the mating electrical connector is placed in the proper mating position. With such a configuration, when the mating side electric connector is arranged at a regular fitting position, more reliable contact between the mating side short-circuit tab and the inspection member can be realized.

According to the present invention, the semi-fitting of the connector can be detected reliably and easily.

(A) and (B) are perspective views of an electrical connection device having a first connector as an electrical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention, respectively. (A) is a plan view of the electrical connection device, (B) is a front view of the main part of the electrical connection device, and (C) is a side view of the main part of the electrical connection device. (D) is a rear view of the main part of the electrical connection device. (A) is a cross-sectional view of a main part of an electrical connection device, and shows a state in which the electrical connection device is viewed along the connector length direction. (B) is a cross-sectional view of a main part of an electrical connection device, showing a state in which the electrical connection device is viewed along the width direction of the connector. (A) is a perspective view showing a state in which the first connector of the electrical connection device is mounted on a substrate, and (B) is a front view of FIG. 4 (A). (A) is a perspective view of a second housing as a housing of a second connector as a mating electrical connector of an electrical connector, and (B) is a plan view of a main part of the second housing. 5 (C) is a front view of the main part of the second housing. (A) is a perspective view of an electrical connection device having a first connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. (B) is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the electrical connection device according to the second embodiment, and shows a state in which the electrical connection device is viewed along the connector length direction. (A) is a perspective view of an electrical connection device having a first connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. (B) is a front view which shows the 1st connector which concerns on 3rd Embodiment together with a substrate. (A) is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the semi-fitted state of the electrical connection device according to the third embodiment, and shows a state in which the electrical connection device is viewed along the connector length direction. (B) is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the semi-fitted state of the electrical connecting device according to the third embodiment, and shows a state in which the electrical connecting device is viewed along the width direction of the electric connector. (C) is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a normal fitting state of the electrical connection device according to the third embodiment, and shows a state in which the electrical connection device is viewed along the length direction of the electric connector. There is. (D) is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a normal fitting state of the electrical connection device according to the third embodiment, and shows a state in which the electrical connection device is viewed along the width direction of the electric connector. .. Is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the electrical connection device schematically showing the configuration of the main part of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the electrical connection device is viewed along the thickness direction of the connector. .. It is sectional drawing of the main part which shows the modification of 4th Embodiment, (A) shows a semi-fitting state, and (B) shows a normal fitting state.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
1 (A) and 1 (B) are perspective views of an electrical connection device 1 having a first connector 10 as an electrical connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention, respectively. FIG. 2A is a plan view of the electrical connection device 1, FIG. 2B is a front view of the main part of the electrical connection device 1, and FIG. 2C is an electrical connection device 1. 2 (D) is a rear view of the main part of the electrical connection device 1. FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the electrical connection device 1, showing a state in which the electrical connection device 1 is viewed along the connector length direction Y1. FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the electrical connection device 1, showing a state in which the electrical connection device 1 is viewed along the connector width direction X1. FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing a state in which the first connector 10 of the electrical connection device 1 is mounted on the substrate 2, and FIG. 4B is a front view of FIG. 4A. be. FIG. 5 (A) is a perspective view of the second housing 31 as the housing of the second connector 30 as the other side electric connector of the electrical connection device 1, and FIG. 5 (B) is a main view of the second housing 31. FIG. 5C is a plan view of the portion, and FIG. 5C is a front view of the main portion of the second housing 31.

With reference to FIGS. 1 (A) to 2 (D), the electrical connection device 1 is used to electrically connect two electrical devices. In the present embodiment, the electrical connection device 1 is used as a board-to-wire type electrical connection device 1 that electrically connects a substrate 2 such as a control board and a power supply board to a plurality of coated electric wires 3. .. The electric wire of the coated electric wire 3 is connected to, for example, a substrate (not shown), whereby the substrate and the substrate 2 are electrically connected.

The substrate 2 is a single-layer or multi-layer circuit board. A plurality of circuit conductor patterns 2a and inspection conductor patterns 2b are formed on the mounting surface (surface) of the substrate 2.

The circuit conductor pattern 2a is formed in the same number as the number of poles of the electrical connection device 1, that is, the number of the first contacts 12 of the first connector 10, and can be conducted with the corresponding first contacts 12 by soldering or the like. Is fixed to. Each circuit conductor pattern 2a is connected to a circuit element such as a semiconductor (not shown) provided on the substrate 2. The conductor pattern 2b for inspection is a conductor pattern used for a semi-fitting inspection described later, and in the present embodiment, an endless loop shape is formed in cooperation with the first connector 10. The conductor pattern 2b for inspection is an endd annular portion formed in a substantially U shape in a plan view. Both ends of the conductor pattern 2b for inspection include reinforcing tab fixing portions 2c and 2c. The reinforcing tab fixing portions 2c and 2c are formed in a rectangular shape, for example, and are electrically fixed to the reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b described later of the first connector 10 by soldering or the like.

The electrical connection device 1 includes a first connector 10 as an electrical connector, a second connector 30 as a mating electrical connector, and a semi-fitting detection mechanism 40 provided on these connectors 10 and 40. ing.

In the present embodiment, the first connector 10 constitutes a female connector, and the second connector 30 constitutes a male connector. Then, the second connector 30 is arranged at the regular fitting position P1 with respect to the first connector 10, and these connectors 10 and 30 are fitted to each other, so that the first connector 10 and the second connector 30 are combined. It is electrically connected. In the present embodiment, the first connector 10 is mounted on the substrate 2, and the second connector 30 is attached with the coated electric wire 3.

Each of the connectors 10 and 30 is formed in a flat shape that is elongated in a predetermined width direction X1 and thin in a thickness direction Z1 that is orthogonal to the width direction X1. Further, the connectors 10 and 30 face each other in the length direction Y1 orthogonal to both the width direction X1 and the thickness direction Z1 in a state of being connected to each other.

With reference to FIGS. 3 (A) to 4 (B), the first connector 10 includes a first housing 11, a plurality of first contacts 12, and a half-fitting that constitutes a part of the half-fitting detection mechanism 40. It has a joint detection unit 13.

The first housing 11 is provided to hold the plurality of first contacts 12 and the semi-fitting detection unit 13. The first housing 11 is formed by using an insulating material such as a synthetic resin. The first housing 11 is an integrally molded product formed by injection molding. The first housing 11 may be formed by fixing a plurality of members.

The first housing 11 is formed in a box shape that is elongated in the width direction X1 and has one end open in the length direction Y1. Specifically, the first housing 11 includes a pair of side walls 11a and 11b arranged apart from each other in the width direction X1, a bottom wall 11c and a top wall 11d connecting the pair of side walls 11a and 11b, and a rear wall 11e. , Including.

The pair of side walls 11a and 11b are wall portions extending so as to be orthogonal to the width direction X1. Reinforcing tab accommodating portions 11f and 11g are provided on the outer surfaces of the pair of side walls 11a and 11b. The reinforcing tab accommodating portions 11f and 11g are formed so that a part of the corresponding side walls 11a and 11b protrudes to the outside in the width direction X1. The reinforcing tab accommodating portions 11f and 11g form elongated grooves for accommodating the reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b described later, and the reinforcing tab accommodating portions 11f and 11g are fixed to the grooves by press-fitting and fixing. The reinforcing tab accommodating portions 11f, 11g are formed in a shape in which the intermediate portion in the length direction Y1 is cut out, and the intermediate portion of the reinforcing tab accommodating portions 11f, 11g in the length direction Y1 is outside the width direction X1. It is exposed to.

The bottom wall 11c is arranged so as to run along the substrate 2. The top wall 11d is arranged so as to be separated from the bottom wall 11c in the thickness direction Z1. The bottom wall 11c and the top wall 11d are rectangular portions extending so as to be orthogonal to the thickness direction Z1. In the present embodiment, the top wall 11d is formed in a shape symmetrical to the width direction X1.

The top wall 11d is formed with fixing holes 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d and short-circuiting holes 15a, 15b.

In the present embodiment, the fixing holes 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d and the short-circuiting holes 15a, 15b are arranged near the front end of the first housing 11 in the length direction Y1.

The fixing holes 14a to 14d are provided as portions for fixing the fixing pieces 49a, 49b, 49a, 49b of the first short-circuiting tabs 45a, 45b, which will be described later. The fixing holes 14a and 14b are arranged closer to one side wall 11a, and the fixing holes 14c and 14d are arranged closer to the other side wall 11b. In the present embodiment, the fixing holes 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d are rectangular holes in a plan view that penetrate the top wall 11d in the thickness direction Z1. Short-circuit holes 15a and 15b are arranged between the fixing holes 14b and 14c.

The short-circuit holes 15a and 15b are provided as portions through which the second short-circuit tabs 33 and 33, which will be described later, of the first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b pass. The short-circuit hole portion 15a is arranged closer to one side wall 11a, and the short-circuit hole portion 15b is arranged closer to the other side wall 11b. In the present embodiment, the short-circuiting holes 15a and 15b are rectangular holes in a plan view that penetrate the top wall 11d in the thickness direction Z1. Further, in the top wall 11d, a first recess 16 and a pair of second recesses 17, 17 are formed on the inner side surface facing the bottom wall 11c side.

The first recess 16 is a portion into which the lock piece portion 35 described later of the second housing 31 is inserted, and is arranged at the center of the first housing 11 in the width direction X1. Further, a first lock claw portion 18 is formed on the inner surface of the top wall 11d in the first recess 16. The first lock claw portion 18 is arranged between the main portions 51 and 51 in the width direction X1 and is formed in a protruding shape protruding from the inner side surface of the top wall 11d toward the bottom wall 11c side. A pair of second recesses 17, 17 are formed so as to sandwich the first recess 16 in the width direction X1.

With reference to FIGS. 1 (B), 3 (B) and 4 (B), the rear wall 11e is a wall portion provided so as to close the rear end portion in the length direction Y1 of the first housing 11. be. A plurality of first contact through holes are formed in the rear wall 11e. In the present embodiment, the first contact through holes are arranged in, for example, two steps in the thickness direction Z1, and a plurality of first contact through holes are formed in each step. The first contact through holes of No. 1 are arranged at equal pitches in the width direction X1.

With the above configuration, the first housing 11 is formed with an accommodating hole 19 for accommodating the second housing 31 of the second connector 30. The first contact 12 projects into the accommodating hole 19.

The first contact 12 is provided to contact the corresponding second contact 32 of the second connector 30. The first contact 12 is a conductive member formed by bending a metal material or the like, and is formed in an elongated shaft shape. Each first contact 12 is fixed to the corresponding first contact through hole portion of the rear wall 11e by press-fitting and fixing. A portion of each of the first contacts 12 arranged in the accommodating hole 19 of the first housing 11 extends substantially along the length direction Y1. On the other hand, of each of the first contacts 12, the portion arranged outside the first contact 12 is partially formed in a curved shape and is soldered to the corresponding circuit conductor pattern 2a of the substrate 2. It is fixed to be conductive by.

Next, the second connector 30 will be described.

With reference to FIGS. 1 (A) to 3 (B) and FIGS. 5 (A) to 5 (C), the second connector 30 is half-fitted with the second housing 31 and the plurality of second contacts 32. It has a second short-circuit tab 33 that forms a part of the joint detection mechanism 40.

As described above, the second connector 30 is an example of the "counterpart electrical connector" of the present invention, and the second housing 31 is an example of the "counterpart electrical connector housing" of the present invention, and the second contact 32. Is an example of the "counterpart electrical connector contact" of the present invention, and the second short-circuit tab 33 is an example of the "counterpart short-circuit tab" of the present invention.

The second housing 31 is provided to hold a plurality of second contacts 32 and one second short-circuit tab 33. The second housing 31 is formed by using an insulating material such as a synthetic resin. The second housing 31 is an integrally molded product formed by injection molding. The second housing 31 may be formed by fixing a plurality of members. Most of the second housing 31 is housed in the housing hole 19 of the first housing 11.

The second housing 31 has a second housing main body 34 and a lock piece portion 35.

The second housing main body 34 is a block-shaped portion formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. A plurality of second contact accommodating holes are formed in the second housing 31. The second contact accommodating holes are arranged in, for example, two stages in the thickness direction Z1, and in each stage, a plurality of second contact accommodating holes are arranged at equal pitches in the width direction X1. Each second contact accommodating hole penetrates the second housing body 34 along the length direction Y1.

The second contact 32 is provided to contact the corresponding first contact 12 of the first connector 10. The second contact 32 is a conductive member formed by bending a metal material or the like, and one is arranged in one second contact accommodating hole. The second contact 32 is electrically and mechanically connected to the electric wire of the corresponding covered electric wire 3 by caulking and fixing in the second contact accommodating hole.

A pair of convex portions 34a, 34a are formed on one end side (upper end side) of the second housing main body 34 in the thickness direction Z1. The pair of convex portions 34a, 34a are convex stripes extending along the length direction Y1. The pair of convex portions 34a, 34a fits into the corresponding second concave portions 17, 17 of the first housing 11. A lock piece 35 is provided between the pair of convex portions 34a and 34a.

The lock piece portion 35 is provided to lock the second housing 31 to the first housing 11 by engaging with the first lock claw portion 18 of the first housing 11. The lock piece portion 35 is an elastic piece portion and can be oscillated and displaced with the connecting portion 35a with the second housing main body 34 as a fulcrum. The lock piece 35 is continuous with the second housing body 34 at one end (tip) of the second housing body 34 in the length direction Y1, and from this continuous portion to the other end (rear end) in the length direction Y1. It extends toward.

The lock piece portion 35 is formed in a lever shape that rises in the thickness direction Z1 at the base end portion of the lock piece portion 35 and then advances backward along the length direction Y1. The length of the lock piece 35 in the width direction X1 is set to be substantially the same as the length of the first recess 16 of the first housing 11, and most of the lock piece 35 is inserted into the first recess 16. .. The front end portion (rear end portion) of the lock piece portion 35 includes an operation piece portion for the operator to swing the lock piece portion 35 with a finger.

A second lock claw portion 36 is provided in the middle portion of the lock piece portion 35 in the length direction Y1. The second lock claw portion 36 is provided as a protruding portion. When the second housing 31 is accommodated in the accommodating hole 19 of the first housing 11, the second lock claw portion 36 and the first lock claw portion 18 engage with each other, so that the second from the first housing 11 2 Restrict the housing 31 from coming off. A holding groove portion 37 is formed in a portion on the base end side of the lock piece portion 35.

The holding groove portion 37 is provided to hold the second short-circuit tab 33. The holding groove portion 37 is provided so that the front end side portion of the lock piece portion 35 in the length direction Y1 is recessed toward the rear. The holding groove portion 37 is formed in a substantially U shape in a front view (when viewed along the length direction Y1). Both ends of the holding groove portion 37 in the width direction X1 extend in the thickness direction Z1 and are opened to the upper side of the lock piece portion 35, and the intermediate portion of the holding groove portion 37 in the width direction X1 is along the width direction X1. It is extending.

Next, the configuration of the semi-fitting detection mechanism 40 will be described.

The semi-fitting detection mechanism 40 is provided to detect whether or not the second connector 30 is fitted at the regular fitting position P1 in the first connector 10.

The semi-fitting detection mechanism 40 is attached to the first housing 11 to form a part of the first connector 10, and the half-fitting detecting mechanism 40 is attached to the second housing 31 to form a part of the second connector 30. It has a second short-circuit tab 33 and.

With reference to FIGS. 3 (A), 3 (B), 5 (A) and 5 (B), the second short-circuit tab 33 short-circuits the half-fitting detection unit 13 of the first connector 10. It is provided to generate. The second short-circuit tab 33 is an integrally molded product formed by using the same conductive material as the second contact 32, and is formed by pressing a metal member in the present embodiment. The second short-circuit tab 33 may be formed by combining a plurality of members.

The second short-circuit tab 33 includes a base portion 41 and a pair of second short-circuit pieces 42, 42 extending from the base portion 41. The base portion 41 is formed, for example, in the shape of a rectangular flat plate. The base portion 41 is press-fitted and fixed to the holding groove portion 37 of the lock piece portion 35 of the second housing 31. As a result, the second short-circuit tab 33 swings and displaces as the lock piece 35 swings and displaces. A pair of second short-circuiting pieces 42, 42 are provided at both ends of the base portion 41 in the width direction X1.

The pair of second short-circuiting pieces 42, 42 are provided to come into contact with the pair of inspection members 43a, 43b, which will be described later, of the semi-fitting detection unit 13. The pair of second short-circuiting pieces 42, 42 are arranged at both ends of the holding groove 37 in the width direction X1. Of the second short-circuited pieces 42, 42, the rear end portion in the length direction Y1 is formed in a chevron shape that is convex upward in the side view (viewed from the width direction X1), and the base portion 41. It is cantilevered and can be elastically deformed.

Next, the semi-fitting detection unit 13 will be described.

With reference to FIGS. 3 (A) to 4 (B), the semi-fitting detection unit 13 includes a pair of conductive inspection members 43a and 43b attached to the first housing 11.

The pair of inspection members 43a and 43b are insulated from each other when the second connector 30 is not arranged at the regular fitting position P1, and the second connector 30 is arranged at the regular fitting position P1. It is configured to be short-circuited with each other. In the present embodiment, when the pair of inspection members 43a and 43b come into contact with the second short-circuit tab 33, the pair of inspection members 43a and 43b are short-circuited with each other.

The pair of inspection members 43a and 43b are arranged outside the first housing 11 and attached to the first housing 11, and are exposed from the first housing 11. In the present embodiment, the pair of inspection members 43a and 43b are arranged near the front portion of the first housing 11 in the length direction Y1. In the present embodiment, the pair of inspection members 43a and 43b are formed in the same shape as each other. Further, in the present embodiment, the pair of inspection members 43a and 43b are arranged symmetrically in the width direction X1. The inspection members 43a and 43b are formed in a crank shape as a whole. The inspection members 43a and 43b are formed by pressing a conductive metal plate similar to the material of the first contact 12.

The pair of inspection members 43a, 43b are the reinforcing tabs 44a, 44b fixed to the substrate 2 on which the first connector 10 is mounted, and the first short-circuiting tab 45a electrically connected to the corresponding reinforcing tabs 44a, 44b. , 45b, and so on.

Reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b are provided to increase the bonding strength of the first connector 10 to the substrate 2. Reinforcing tabs 44a, 44b are arranged at both ends of the first housing 11 in the width direction X1 and run along the outer surfaces of the corresponding side walls 11a, 11b. The reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b are each formed in an L shape in the present embodiment. The reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b are integrally molded products formed by pressing a conductive metal plate similar to the material of the first contact 12.

Each of the reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b has a parallel portion 46 and an upright portion 47 that stands up from the parallel portion 46.

The parallel portion 46 is a rectangular flat plate-shaped portion arranged substantially parallel to the substrate 2, and is electrically fixed to the corresponding reinforcing tab fixing portion 2c of the substrate 2 by soldering. An upright portion 47 extends from one edge of the parallel portion 46.

The upright portion 47 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape extending so as to rise from the substrate 2, and in the present embodiment, extends perpendicularly to the substrate 2. The upright portion 47 is fitted into the corresponding reinforcing tab accommodating portions 11f, 11g of the first housing 11, and is fixed to the reinforcing tab accommodating portions 11f, 11g by press fitting or the like. Further, the intermediate portion of the upright portion 47 in the length direction Y1 is exposed from the corresponding reinforcing tab accommodating portions 11f and 11g. One end of the upright portion 47 in the thickness direction Z1 (the tip portion far from the substrate 2) projects in the thickness direction Z1 from the corresponding reinforcing tab accommodating portions 11f and 11g. The corresponding first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b are in conductive contact with the portion of the upright portion 47 that protrudes from, for example, the reinforcing tab accommodating portions 11f and 11g.

When the second connector 30 is arranged at the regular fitting position P1, the first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b are brought into contact with the second short-circuit tab 33 of the second connector 30 to cause these pair of first short-circuits. The tabs 45a and 45b are configured to be short-circuited with each other. In the present embodiment, the first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b are formed by using a member different from the reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b. The first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b are formed in an L shape as a whole, and are arranged from the top wall 11d of the first housing 11 to the corresponding side walls 11a and 11b. The first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b are integrally molded products formed by pressing a conductive metal plate similar to the material of the first contact 12.

Each of the first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b includes a side portion 48 along the outer surface of the first housing 11, a fixing piece portion 49a and 49b protruding from the side portion 48, and a first short-circuit portion 50. have.

Each of the side portions 48 has a main body portion 51 and an elastic piece portion 52 extending from the main body portion 51.

The main body portion 51 is a rectangular flat plate-shaped portion arranged substantially parallel to the top wall 11d of the first housing 11. The length of the main body 51 in the length direction Y1 is set according to the number of poles of the first connector 10. As the number of poles of the first connector 10 increases, the length of the main body 51 in the length direction Y1 becomes longer. In this way, in the pair of inspection members 43a and 43b, by changing the lengths of the main portions 51 and 51 of the first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b, the first one without changing the shape of the other parts. A configuration corresponding to the number of poles of the connector 10 can be realized. A through hole portion 51a is formed in each main body portion 51.

The through hole portion 51a is a rectangular hole in a plan view formed inside the corresponding main body portion 51 and extends in the width direction X1, and is not opened to the outer peripheral edge portion of the main body portion 51. Fixing pieces 49a and 49b project from the inner peripheral edge of the through hole 51a.

The fixing pieces 49a and 49b are portions that extend toward the top wall 11d of the first housing 11 and are fixed to the first housing 11. The fixing piece portions 49a and 49b are, for example, hook-shaped cantilever protrusions provided at both ends of the through hole portion 51a in the length direction Y1, and the fixing hole portions 14a, corresponding to the first housing 11. It is hung on 14b, 14c, 14d. As a result, the first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b are fixed to the top wall 11d of the first housing 11. A first short-circuiting piece 50 is provided adjacent to the fixing piece 49b.

The first short-circuit piece 50 is a portion that extends toward the first housing 11 and contacts the corresponding second short-circuit piece 42 in the second short-circuit tab 33 of the second connector 30. Each first short-circuiting piece 50 is, for example, a cantilever protrusion provided at one end of a side portion 48 in the length direction Y1 and is a fixing piece portion from the outer peripheral edge portion of the main body portion 51 of the side portion 48. It extends in the same direction as 49a and 49b. Each first short-circuit piece 50 is inserted into the corresponding short-circuit holes 15a, 15b of the first housing 11. The tip of each first short-circuit piece 50 is arranged in the accommodating hole 19 of the first housing 11, and the second short-circuit tab 33 of the second connector 30 arranged at the regular fitting position P1. Contact the corresponding second short-circuit pieces 42, 42 of. As a result, the first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b are electrically connected to each other via the second short-circuit tab 33 of the second connector 30. An elastic piece portion 52 is provided at a distance from the second short-circuit tab 33 in the width direction X1.

The elastic piece portion 52 is provided so as to be electrically connected to the reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b by coming into contact with the outer surface of the standing portions 47 of the corresponding reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b facing outward in the width direction X1. The elastic piece portion 52 is a curved portion extending from one edge of the main body portion 51 of the side portion 48 in the width direction X1 toward the substrate 2. In the present embodiment, the elastic piece portion 52 is formed in an S shape, extends away from the main body portion 51 of the side portion 48, is curved toward the first housing 11, and then is the first. It is curved so as to move away from the housing 11. The curved portion of the tip of the elastic piece portion 52 is in pressure contact with the outer surfaces of the corresponding reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b so as to apply an elastic repulsive force.

The connection operation of the first connector 10 and the second connector 30 in the electrical connection device 1 having the above configuration will be described below.

When the second connector 30 is not connected to the first connector 10, the first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b are arranged apart from each other in the pair of inspection members 43a and 43b of the semi-fitting detection unit 13. , Insulated. From this state, as shown in FIGS. 1 (A), 3 (A), and 3 (B), when the second connector 30 is connected to the first connector 10, the second housing 31 of the second connector 30 is connected. Is inserted into the accommodating hole 19 of the first housing 11 of the first connector 10.

In this insertion operation, when the second connector 30 is being inserted into the first connector 10, the second short-circuit tab 33 of the second connector 30 is connected to the first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b of the first connector 10. Is not in contact. Therefore, the first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b remain insulated. Then, when the second connector 30 is further inserted into the first connector 10, the second lock claw portion 36 of the lock piece portion 35 of the second connector 30 rides on the first lock claw portion 18 of the first connector 10. As a result, the lock piece 35 swings. Then, when the second lock claw portion 36 gets over the first lock claw portion 18, the lock piece portion 35 is swung back to the position side before the swing, and the first lock claw portion 18 and the second lock claw portion 36 are brought together. Get caught in each other. As a result, the first connector 10 and the second connector 30 are locked. At this time, each of the first contacts 12 of the first connector 10 and the corresponding second contacts 32 of the second connector 30 come into contact with each other, and these contacts 31 and 32 are electrically connected.

The position where the first connector 10 and the second connector 30 are locked is the regular fitting position P1. When the second connector 30 is arranged at the regular fitting position P1, the chevron portion of the second short-circuit piece 42 of the second short-circuit tab 33 of the second connector 30 is formed by the inspection member 43a of the first connector 10. By being pushed down by the corresponding first short-circuiting piece 50 of 43b, it is arranged so as to be stretched against the lock portion 35 and comes into contact with the corresponding first short-circuiting piece 50. As a result, the pair of inspection members 43a and 43b can be made conductive via the second short-circuit tab 33.

That is, by arranging the second connector 30 at the regular fitting position P1, the second short-circuit tab 33 of the second connector 30 comes into contact with the pair of first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b, whereby a pair of first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b are contacted. The first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b are short-circuited with each other.

In the inspection step of inspecting whether or not the first connector 10 and the second connector 30 are electrically connected, for example, using an inspection device (not shown), an inspection conductor pattern 2b and a pair of inspection members 43a, Whether or not a closed circuit is formed in 43b is inspected from the outside of each of the connectors 10 and 30 by a continuity inspection.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the pair of inspection members 43a and 43b are insulated when the second connector 30 is not arranged at the regular fitting position P1. On the other hand, as the second connector 30 is arranged at the regular fitting position P1, the pair of inspection members 43a and 43b are short-circuited with each other. In this configuration, in the so-called semi-fitting state in which the second connector 30 is fitted to the first connector 10 but the second connector 30 is not arranged at the regular fitting position P1, a pair. The inspection members 43a and 43b of the above are insulated from each other. Therefore, in the semi-fitted state, no current flows between the pair of inspection members 43a and 43b. , It can be reliably detected that it is in a semi-fitted state. Further, if the second connector 30 and the first connector 10 are in a normal mating state, the pair of inspection members 43a and 43b are short-circuited with each other. That is, it can be reliably detected that the second connector and the first connector 10 are in a normal mating state. Moreover, the inspection for detecting the semi-fitting does not need to be performed by piercing the probe of the inspection device into, for example, the coated electric wire 3 extending from the second connector 30, and the semi-fitting of the connectors 10 and 30 can be reliably and easily performed. Can be detected.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b for fixing the first connector to the substrate 2 can be used as a conduction path for detecting half-fitting. As a result, it is not necessary to insert the inspection device for semi-fitting detection into the inside of the first connector 10 or the coated electric wire 3 extending from the second connector 30, and the semi-fitting inspection can be performed more easily. ..

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b and the corresponding first short-circuiting tabs 45a and 45b are separate members, the versatility of the inspection members 43a and 43b can be significantly increased. More specifically, as the number of poles of the first connector 10 increases, the number of first contacts 12 increases, so that the width of the first housing 11 becomes longer. At this time, if the reinforcing tab and the short-circuit tab are integrally molded, it is necessary to prepare an inspection member having a different length of the short-circuit tab for each type of the number of poles of the first connector. As a result, the labor for manufacturing the inspection member and the labor for managing the parts increase, and the manufacturing cost of the first connector becomes high. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, since the reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b and the first short-circuiting tabs 45a and 45b are separate members, the reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b are irrespective of the number of poles of the first connector 10. Can be composed of the same type of parts. Then, only the types of the first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b among the inspection members 43a and 43b need to be changed according to the number of poles of the first connector 10. As a result, the labor for manufacturing the inspection members 43a and 43b and the labor for managing parts can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the first connector 10 can be reduced.

Here, the advantage that the reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b and the corresponding first short-circuiting tabs 45a and 45b are separate members will be described in more detail below. Since the reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b and the corresponding first short-circuiting tabs 45a and 45b are separate members, the reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b are reinforcing tabs for conventional electric connectors that do not have the semi-fitting detection unit 13. Can be used as it is as the reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b. Thereby, the versatility of the reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b can be further increased.

Further, if the reinforcing tab and the short-circuit tab are integrally molded, the unfolded length (length before bending) of the short-circuit tab portion is long, and the manufacturing cost is high. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b and the corresponding first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b are separate members, so that the lengths of the first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b as one component are long. Can be shortened. Therefore, by rearranging the press forming dies of the first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b, the first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b corresponding to a plurality of types of first connectors 10 having different numbers of poles can be formed.

Further, when inspection members having different shapes in the width direction X1 (left and right) are used, two molds are required for each number of poles, and a part number is required for each of the left and right parts, which complicates part management. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b have the same shape, the mold can be used on one side and the parts management can be simplified, and the manufacturing cost of the first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b can be reduced. Can be significantly cheaper.

Further, if the reinforcing tab and the short-circuit tab are integrally molded, the total length of the integrally molded part is long, so it is necessary to bend the integrally molded part so that it can be handled by the automatic insertion machine. Handling of integrally molded parts becomes complicated. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b can be shortened, the automatic insertion machine can be used as it is for inserting the conventional short reinforcing tabs. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the first connector 10 can be reduced. Moreover, since the total length of the reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b is short, the processing steps such as plating at the time of manufacturing the reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b can be performed easily and quickly, and the dimensions of the reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b The number of types can be reduced. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the first connector 10 can be further reduced by simplifying the parts management and the like.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the pair of first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b are formed in the same shape as each other, and the pair of inspection members 43a and 43b are formed by being arranged symmetrically in the width direction X1. .. According to this configuration, the types of parts of the first connector 10 can be further reduced, and as a result, the manufacturing cost of the first connector 10 can be further reduced.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the fixing piece portions 49a and 49b extend from the inner peripheral edge portion of the through hole portion 51a of the first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b toward the first housing 11 and are fixed to the first housing 11. NS. According to this configuration, the first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b can be fixed to the first housing 11 by the fixing pieces 49a and 49b of the first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b. Further, since the fixing pieces 49a and 49b extend from the inner peripheral edges of the through holes 51a of the first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b, the fixing pieces 49a and 49b are the first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b. It does not have to extend so that it sticks out of the outside. As a result, the first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b can be made smaller. Further, for example, when the first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b are formed by press working, the fixing pieces 49a and 49b can be formed by punching the inner portions of the first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b.

Further, according to the present embodiment, in the first short-circuiting tabs 45a and 45b, the fixing piece portions 49a and 49b and the first entanglement piece portion 50 extend from the side portion 48 in the same direction. In this case, since the fixing pieces 49a and 49b and the first entanglement piece 50 extend from the side portion 48 in the same direction, the thickness of the first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b as a whole can be made thinner. .. When the first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b are manufactured by press working, the fixing piece portion 49a and 49b and the first entanglement piece portion 50 are bent in the same direction. As a result, these fixing piece portions 49a and 49b and the first entanglement piece portion 50 can be formed. As a result, the labor required for manufacturing the first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b can be further reduced.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the second connector 30 is arranged at the regular fitting position P1, the second short-circuit tab 33 of the second connector 30 becomes a pair of first short-circuit tabs 45a of the first connector 10. , 45b causes the pair of first short-circuit tabs 45a, 45b to be short-circuited with each other. In this case, by arranging the second connector 30 at the regular fitting position P1, the pair of first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b can be reliably short-circuited with each other.

In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the first short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b are in contact with the outer surfaces of the corresponding reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b has been described as an example. However, this does not have to be the case. For example, one end (tip) of the upright portion 47 of each of the reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b is formed so as to be separated from the first housing 11, and a first portion is formed between the inner surface of the upright portion 47 and the first housing 11. The tip portions of the corresponding elastic piece portions 52 of the short-circuit tabs 45a and 45b may be arranged so that the elastic piece portion 52 and the inner surface of the corresponding standing portion 47 are brought into contact with each other.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an electrical connection device 1A having a first connector 10A according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the electrical connection device 1A according to the second embodiment, and shows a state seen along the length direction Y1 of the electrical connection device 1A.

In the following, the points different from the configuration of the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same components as those of the first embodiment may be designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof may be omitted.

With reference to FIGS. 6 (A) and 6 (B), the difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that the reinforcing tabs 44aA and 44bA and the corresponding first short-circuit tabs 45aA and 45bA are simple. The point is that it is integrally molded using one material.

The first connector 10A includes a first housing 11A, a plurality of first contacts 12, and a half-fitting detection unit 13A that forms a part of the half-fitting detection mechanism 40.

The first housing 11A has the same configuration as the first housing 11 of the first embodiment except that the fixing holes 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d are not formed.

The semi-fitting detection unit 13A includes a pair of conductive inspection members 43aA and 43bA attached to the first housing 11.

The pair of inspection members 43aA and 43bA are insulated from each other when the second connector 30 is not arranged at the regular fitting position P1, and the second connector 30 is arranged at the regular fitting position P1. It is configured to be short-circuited with each other. In the present embodiment, when the pair of inspection members 43aA, 43bA come into contact with the second short-circuit piece portion 42 of the second short-circuit tab 33, the pair of inspection members 43aA, 43bA are short-circuited with each other.

In this embodiment, the pair of inspection members 43aA and 43bA are arranged symmetrically in the width direction X1. The inspection members 43aA and 43bA are formed in a crank shape as a whole. The inspection members 43aA and 43bA are integrally molded products formed by pressing a conductive metal plate similar to the material of the first contact 12.

The pair of inspection members 43aA and 43bA include reinforcing tabs 44aA and 44bA fixed to the substrate 2 on which the first connector 10 is mounted, and first short-circuiting tabs 45aA and 45bA continuous with the corresponding reinforcing tabs 44aA and 44bA. Includes.

The reinforcing tabs 44aA and 44bA have the same configuration as the reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b of the first embodiment except that they are integrally molded with the corresponding first short-circuiting tabs 45aA and 45bA. The corresponding first short-circuit tabs 45aA, 45bA extend to a portion of the upright portions 47 of the first short-circuit tabs 45aA, 45bA that protrude from, for example, the reinforcing tab accommodating portions 11f, 11g.

Each of the first short-circuit tabs 45aA and 45bA has a beam-shaped side portion 48A along the outer surface of the top wall 11d of the first housing 11 and a first short-circuit piece portion 50A protruding from the side portion 48A. Have.

The base end portion of the along portion 48A is continuous with the corresponding reinforcing tabs 44aA, 44bA. A first short-circuit piece 50A is provided at the tip of the alongside 48A.

The first short-circuit piece 50A is a portion that extends toward the first housing 11A and comes into contact with the corresponding second short-circuit piece 42 of the second connector 30. The first short-circuiting piece portion 50A is, for example, a cantilever projection provided along the side portion 48A, and is inserted into the corresponding short-circuiting hole portions 15a and 15b of the first housing 11A. The tip of the second short-circuit tab 33A is arranged in the accommodating hole 19, and is for the corresponding second short-circuit of the second short-circuit tab 33 of the second connector 30 arranged at the regular fitting position P1. Contact one part 42. As a result, the first short-circuit tabs 45aA and 45bA are electrically connected to each other via the second short-circuit tab 33 of the second connector 30.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the inspection members 43aA and 43bA can be formed by one component.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an electrical connection device 1B having a first connector 10B according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7B is a front view showing the first connector 10B according to the third embodiment together with the substrate 2. FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of a main portion of the electrical connection device 1B in the semi-fitted state according to the third embodiment, showing a state in which the electrical connection device 1B is viewed along the length direction Y1. ing. FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of a main portion of the electrical connection device 1B in the semi-fitted state according to the third embodiment, showing a state in which the electrical connection device 1B is viewed along the width direction X1. There is. FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the electrical connection device 1B in the normal fitting state according to the third embodiment, and shows a state in which the electrical connection device 1B is viewed along the length direction Y1. Shown. FIG. 8D is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the electrical connection device 1B in the normal fitting state according to the third embodiment, showing a state in which the electrical connection device 1B is viewed along the width direction X1. ing.

With reference to FIGS. 7 (A) to 8 (D), the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the second short-circuit tab 33B of the second connector 30B is a synthetic resin as an insulating member. The point is that the pair of inspection members 43aB and 43bB of the first connector 10B are configured to correspond to the second short-circuit tab 33B. Hereinafter, a more specific configuration of the electrical connection device 1B will be described.

The electrical connection device 1B includes a first connector 10B, a second connector 30B, and a semi-fitting detection mechanism 40B provided on these connectors 10B and 30B.

The first connector 10B includes a first housing 11B, a plurality of first contacts 12, and a half-fitting detection unit 13B that forms a part of the half-fitting detection mechanism 40B.

The first housing 11B is the first embodiment of the first embodiment except that the short-circuit hole portion 15a is not formed and the short-circuit hole portion 15b is formed substantially at the center of the top wall 11d in the width direction X1. It has the same configuration as the housing 11.

The second connector 30B has a second housing 31B, a plurality of second contacts 32, and a second short-circuit tab 33B that forms a part of the semi-fitting detection mechanism 40B.

The second housing 31B has the same configuration as the second housing 31 of the first embodiment except that the second short-circuit tab 33B is integrally molded. In the present embodiment, the entire second housing 31B and the second short-circuit tab 33B are integrally molded products formed by injection molding. The second housing 31B may be formed by fixing a plurality of members.

The second housing 31B has a second housing main body 34 and a lock piece portion 35B.

The lock piece 35B has the same configuration as the lock piece 35 of the first embodiment except that the second short-circuit tab 33B is integrally molded. A second short-circuit tab 33B is formed on the front end side portion of the lock piece portion 35B.

The semi-fitting detection mechanism 40B is provided to detect whether or not the second connector 30B is fitted to the first connector 10B at the regular fitting position P1.

The half-fitting detection mechanism 40B is attached to the first housing 11B and forms a part of the first connector 10B, and the half-fitting detection mechanism 40B is attached to the second housing 31B and forms a part of the second connector 30B. It has a second short-circuit tab 33B and.

The second short-circuit tab 33B is provided to cause a short-circuit in the half-fitting detection portion 13B of the first connector 10.

The second short-circuit tab 33B is arranged at the center of the lock piece portion 35B in the width direction X1 and is adjacent to the second lock claw portion 36 in the present embodiment. As a result, the second short-circuit tab 33B swings and displaces with the swing displacement of the lock piece 35B. The second short-circuit tab 33B is configured to come into contact with the other 43bB of the pair of inspection members 43aB and 43bB. The second short-circuit tab 33B is formed in a protruding shape protruding from the upper surface of the lock piece portion 35B.

The semi-fitting detection unit 13B includes a pair of conductive inspection members 43aB and 43bB attached to the first housing 11B.

The pair of inspection members 43aB and 43bB are insulated from each other when the second connector 30B is not arranged at the regular fitting position P1, and the second connector 30B is arranged at the regular fitting position P1B. It is configured to be short-circuited with each other. In the third embodiment, when the inspection member 43bB comes into contact with the second short-circuit tab 33B, the pair of inspection members 43aB and 43bB come into direct contact with each other and are short-circuited.

The pair of inspection members 43aB and 43bB are asymmetrically formed in the width direction X1. The inspection members 43aB and 43bB are formed by pressing a conductive metal plate similar to the material of the first contact 12.

One inspection member 43aB includes a reinforcing tab 44a fixed to the substrate 2 and a first short-circuiting tab 45aB electrically connected to the reinforcing tab 44a.

The first short-circuit tab 45aB has the same configuration as the first short-circuit tab 45a of the first embodiment, except for the first short-circuit piece portion 50B. Specifically, the first short-circuit tab 45aB includes a side portion 48 along the outer surface of the first housing 11B, fixing pieces 49a and 49b protruding from the side portion 48, and a first short-circuit portion 50B. And have.

The first short-circuit tab 45aB is arranged so as not to come into direct contact with the second short-circuit tab 33B of the second connector 30. The first short-circuiting piece portion 50B is, for example, a cantilever-shaped piece portion provided at one end of a side portion 48.

The other inspection member 43bB includes a reinforcing tab 44bB and a first short-circuiting tab 45bB extending from the reinforcing tab 44bB.

The other reinforcing tab 44bB has the same configuration as the reinforcing tab 44b except that it is integrally molded with the first short-circuiting tab 45bB. The first short-circuit tab 45bB extends to, for example, a portion of the upright portion 47 of the first short-circuit tab 45bB that protrudes from the reinforcing tab accommodating portion 11g.

The other first short-circuit tab 45bB has a beam-shaped side portion 48B continuous with the reinforcing tab 44bB along the outer surface of the top wall 11d of the first housing 11B and a first short-circuit protruding from the tip of the side portion 48B. It has a working piece 50A and.

The first short-circuit piece portion 50A extends toward the first housing 11B and is a portion for contacting the second short-circuit tab 33B of the second connector 30B. The first short-circuit piece 50A is inserted into the corresponding short-circuit hole 15b of the first housing 11B. The tip of the first short-circuit piece 50A is arranged in the accommodating hole 19, and is lifted by contacting the second short-circuit tab 33B of the second connector 30B arranged at the regular fitting position P1. Be done. As a result, the first short-circuit tabs 45aB and 45bB come into direct contact with each other and become conductive with each other.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, even if the second short-circuit tab 33B of the second connector 30B is an insulating member, the pair of inspection members 43aB and 43bB can be made conductive.

<Fourth Embodiment>
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the electrical connection device 1C schematically showing the configuration of the main part of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and is a state in which the electrical connection device 1C is viewed along the thickness direction Z1. Is shown.

With reference to FIG. 9, in the present embodiment, the first housing 11C has a pair of short-circuit holes for opening the accommodating holes 19 which are spaces in the first housing 11C toward the pair of inspection members 43aC and 43bC. It has 15aC and 15bC. Then, when the second connector 30C is arranged at the regular fitting position P1 in the first connector 10C, the inspection members 43aC, 43bC come into contact with the second short-circuit tab 33C through the corresponding short-circuit holes 15aC, 15bC. It is configured to do. Hereinafter, a more specific description will be given.

The electrical connection device 1C includes a first connector 10C, a second connector 30C, and a semi-fitting detection mechanism 40C provided on these connectors 10C and 30C.

The first connector 10C includes a first housing 11C, a plurality of first contacts 12, and a half-fitting detection unit 13C that forms a part of the half-fitting detection mechanism 40C.

The first housing 11C has the same configuration as the first housing 11 of the first embodiment except that short-circuit holes 15aC and 15bC are formed on the side walls 11a and 11b. The short-circuit holes 15aC and 15bC penetrate the corresponding side walls 11a and 11b in the width direction X1.

The second connector 30C has a second housing 31C, a plurality of second contacts 32, and a second short-circuit tab 33C that forms a part of the semi-fitting detection mechanism 40C.

The second housing 31C has the same configuration as the second housing 31 of the first embodiment except that it holds the second short-circuit tab 33C instead of the second short-circuit tab 33.

The semi-fitting detection mechanism 40C is provided to detect whether or not the second connector 30C is fitted to the first connector 10C at the regular fitting position P1.

The half-fitting detection mechanism 40C is attached to the first housing 11C and forms a part of the first connector 10C, and the half-fitting detection mechanism 40C is attached to the second housing 31C and forms a part of the second connector 30C. It has a second short-circuit tab 33C and.

The second short-circuit tab 33C is formed by using the same conductive material as the second contact 32.

The second short-circuit tab 33C includes a base portion 41C held by the second housing 31C and a pair of second short-circuit pieces 42C and 42C extending from the base portion 41C. The base portion 41C extends along the width direction X1. Second short-circuiting pieces 42C and 42C are provided at both ends of the base portion 41C in the width direction X1.

The pair of second short-circuiting pieces 42C and 42C are formed in a protruding shape that is convex from the second housing 31C toward one side of the length direction Y1 (the back side of the first housing 11C).

The semi-fitting detection unit 13C includes a pair of conductive inspection members 43aC and 43bC attached to the first housing 11C.

The pair of inspection members 43aC and 43bC are insulated from each other when the second connector 30C is not arranged at the regular fitting position P1, and the second connector 30C is arranged at the regular fitting position P1. It is configured to be short-circuited with each other. In the present embodiment, when the pair of inspection members 43aC, 43bC come into contact with the corresponding second short-circuit pieces 42C, 42C of the second short-circuit tab 33C, the pair of inspection members 43aC, 43bC are short-circuited with each other. ..

The pair of inspection members 43aC, 43bC includes reinforcing tabs 44a, 44b and first short-circuiting tabs 45aC, 45bC integrally formed with the corresponding reinforcing tabs 44a, 44b.

The first short-circuit tabs 45aC, 45bC extend from the upright portions 47 of the corresponding reinforcing tabs 44a, 44b into the accommodating holes 19 through the corresponding short-circuit holes 15aC, 15bC. The first short-circuit tabs 45aC and 45bC are formed in the shape of a cantilever spring that can be elastically deformed.

When the second connector 30C is placed at the regular mating position P1, the first short-circuit tabs 45aC, 45bC are the corresponding second short-circuit pieces 42C, of the second short-circuit tab 33C of the second connector 30C. Upon contact with 42C, these pair of first short-circuit tabs 45aC and 45bC are short-circuited with each other.

According to the fourth embodiment, the first short-circuit tabs 45aC and 45bC of the first connector 10C are not exposed to the outside of the first housing 11C, whereby the first connector 10C can be made more compact.

In the fourth embodiment, the mode in which the first short-circuit tabs 45aC and 45bC of the first connector 10C pass through the short-circuit holes 15aC and 15bC will be described as an example. However, this does not have to be the case. For example, referring to FIGS. 10 (A) and 10 (B) showing a modified example of the fourth embodiment, the semi-fitting detection unit 13C in the first connector 10C is a pair of inspections including the reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b. It may include a member. In this case, the second short-circuit tab 33C'provided on the second connector 30C forms a pair of spring-shaped second short-circuit pieces 42C'and 42C' projecting outward from the second housing 31C in the width direction X1. Have. The second short-circuiting pieces 42C'and 42C'do not come into contact with the reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b when the connectors 10C and 30C are in the semi-fitted state. On the other hand, when the second connector 30C is arranged at the regular fitting position P1, the second short-circuiting pieces 42C'and 42C' pass through the corresponding short-circuiting holes 15aC and 15bC to the outside of the first housing 11C. By heading toward, it comes into contact with the inner surface of the upright portion 47 of the corresponding reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b. As a result, the pair of reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b are short-circuited.

According to this modification, the second short-circuit tab 33C'is displaced toward the outside of the first housing 11C as the second connector 30C is arranged at the regular fitting position P1. With such a configuration, when the second connector 30C is arranged at the regular fitting position P1, more reliable contact between the second short-circuit tab 30C'and the inspection members (reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b) can be realized. ..

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made as long as they are described in the claims.

(1) In each of the above-described embodiments and modifications, the form of a surface mount technology (SMT) type electric connector in which the first connector is arranged on the mounting surface of the circuit board has been described as an example. Not limited to this. The first connector may be an insertion mounting type electric connector such as a DIP (Dual Inline Package) connector that is fitted into a through hole of a circuit board.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, the embodiment in which the electrical connection device is a board-to-wire type connection device that electrically connects the circuit board and the electric wire has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to a wire-to-wire type electrical connection device that electrically connects electric wires.

The present invention can be widely applied as an electric connector.

2 Boards 10, 10A, 10B, 10C 1st connector (electrical connector)
11, 11A, 11B, 11C 1st housing (housing)
12 First contact (contact)
13, 13A, 13B, 13C Semi-fitting detection part 15aC, 15bC Short-circuit hole part 30, 30B, 30C Second connector (counterpart electrical connector)
31, 31B, 31C 2nd housing (counterpart electrical connector housing)
32 Second contact (contact of the electrical connector on the other side)
33, 33B, 33C Second short-circuit tab (counter-side short-circuit tab)
43a, 43b, 43aA, 43bA, 43aB, 43bB, 43aC, 43bC Pair of inspection members 44a, 44b, 44aA, 44bA, 44bB Reinforcement tabs 45a, 45b, 45aA, 45bA, 45bB, 45aC, 45bC First short circuit tab (short circuit) Tab)
48, 48A, 48B Along part 49a, 49b Fixing piece 50, 50A, 50B First short-circuit piece (short-circuit piece)
51a Through hole P1 Regular fitting position X1 Width direction

Claims (8)

An electrical connector that is fitted to the mating electrical connector
With the housing
A contact attached to the housing for contacting the contact of the mating electrical connector,
A semi-fitting detection unit for detecting whether or not the mating electric connector is fitted to the electric connector at a proper fitting position is provided.
When the semi-fitting detection unit includes a pair of conductive inspection members attached to the housing and the mating electrical connector is not arranged at the regular mating position in the electrical connector. The pair of inspection members are insulated from each other, and the pair of inspection members are short-circuited with each other as the mating electrical connector is arranged at the regular fitting position .
Each of the inspection members includes a reinforcing tab fixed to a substrate on which the electric connector is mounted, and a short-circuiting tab electrically connected to the reinforcing tab.
The pair of short-circuit tabs are configured to short-circuit each other when the mating electrical connector is placed in the proper mating position.
In each of the inspection members, the reinforcing tab and the short-circuit tab are formed by using different members.
The short-circuit tab includes a along portion along the outer surface of the housing.
Along the part, there is a fixing piece fixed to the housing, a short-circuiting piece for contacting the mating short-circuit tab provided on the mating electrical connector, and a reinforcing tab by elastic repulsion. An electrical connector characterized in that an elastic piece portion that conducts with the reinforcing tab by pressure contact is provided. The electric connector according to claim 1.
A through hole is formed along the line.
The short-circuit tab is an electrical connector comprising the fixing piece portion extending from an inner peripheral edge portion of the through hole portion toward the housing and being fixed to the housing. The electrical connector according to claim 1 or 2.
An electric connector characterized in that the fixing piece portion and the short-circuiting piece portion extend in the same direction from the side portion. An electrical connector that is fitted to the mating electrical connector
With the housing
A contact attached to the housing for contacting the contact of the mating electrical connector,
A semi-fitting detection unit for detecting whether or not the mating electric connector is fitted to the electric connector at a proper fitting position is provided.
When the semi-fitting detection unit includes a pair of conductive inspection members attached to the housing and the mating electrical connector is not arranged at the regular mating position in the electrical connector. The pair of inspection members are insulated from each other, and the pair of inspection members are short-circuited with each other as the mating electrical connector is arranged at the regular fitting position.
Each of the inspection members includes a reinforcing tab fixed to a substrate on which the electric connector is mounted, and a short-circuiting tab electrically connected to the reinforcing tab.
The pair of short-circuit tabs are configured to short-circuit each other when the mating electrical connector is placed in the proper mating position.
In each of the inspection members, the reinforcing tab and the short-circuit tab are formed by using different members.
Each of the short-circuit tabs is formed in the same shape as each other, and is arranged symmetrically in the width direction of the electric connector to form a pair of the inspection members. The electric connector according to claim 4.
The short-circuit tab includes a along portion along the outer surface of the housing.
A through hole is formed along the line.
The short-circuit tab is an electrical connector comprising a fixing piece portion extending from an inner peripheral edge portion of the through hole portion toward the housing and being fixed to the housing. The electrical connector according to claim 4 or 5.
The short-circuit tab includes a along portion along the outer surface of the housing.
Along portion is provided with a fixing piece portion fixed to the housing and a short-circuiting piece portion for contacting the mating side short-circuiting tab provided on the mating-side electric connector.
An electric connector characterized in that the fixing piece portion and the short-circuiting piece portion extend in the same direction from the side portion. An electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The mating electrical connector is attached to the mating electrical connector housing, the mating electrical connector contact attached to the mating electrical connector housing for contacting the contact of the electrical connector, and the mating electrical connector housing. It has a tab for short-circuiting on the other side,
By arranging the mating electrical connector at the regular fitting position, the mating short-circuiting tab comes into contact with the pair of short-circuiting tabs, so that the pair of short-circuiting tabs are short-circuited with each other. Characterized by an electrical connector. An electrical connector that is fitted to the mating electrical connector
With the housing
A contact attached to the housing for contacting the contact of the mating electrical connector,
A semi-fitting detection unit for detecting whether or not the mating electric connector is fitted to the electric connector at a proper fitting position is provided.
When the semi-fitting detection unit includes a pair of conductive inspection members attached to the housing and the mating electrical connector is not arranged at the regular mating position in the electrical connector. The pair of inspection members are insulated from each other, and the pair of inspection members are short-circuited with each other as the mating electrical connector is arranged at the regular fitting position.
The pair of inspection members are arranged at both ends of the housing in the width direction of the electrical connector.
The housing has a pair of short-circuit holes that open the space in the housing toward the pair of inspection members.
The mating electrical connector has a mating electrical connector housing and a conductive mating short circuit tab attached to the mating electrical connector housing.
The mating tab has a pair of spring-shaped mating shorting pieces that project outward in the width direction of the mating electrical connector housing.
When the mating electrical connector is disposed in the fitting position of the normal, that the counterpart for side short circuit pieces of the tub for mating short circuit toward the outside of the housing through said shorting holes corresponding An electrical connector, characterized in that each of the inspection members is configured to come into contact with the mating short circuit tab.

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