CN109428231B - Electrical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides an electrical connector, which can reliably and easily detect half-fitting of the connector. The first connector (10) has a half fitting detection unit (13) for detecting whether or not the second connector (30) is fitted to the first connector (10) at a standard fitting position (P1). The half-fit detection unit (13) includes a pair of conductive inspection members (43a, 43 b). When the second connector (30) is not arranged at the standard fitting position (P1), the pair of inspection members (43a, 43b) are insulated. The pair of inspection members (43a, 43b) are short-circuited with each other when the second connector (30) is placed at a standard fitting position (P1).

Description

Electrical connector

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an electrical connector capable of detecting a half-fitted state when the electrical connector is in the half-fitted state with a mating electrical connector.

Background

As an electrical connector, the following structure is known: and is electrically connected to a mating electrical connector by fitting the mating electrical connector (see, for example, japanese patent application laid-open No. 2013-77440). More specifically, the electrical connector and the counterpart electrical connector each have a housing and a contact. Then, the housing of the mating electrical connector is fitted to the housing of the electrical connector, whereby the contacts of the connectors are brought into contact with each other.

When the amount of insertion of the mating electrical connector into the electrical connector is slightly smaller than the standard amount of insertion, the electrical connector and the mating electrical connector are in a standard mating state in appearance, but the mating electrical connector and the electrical connector are not in a standard mating state in reality and are in a so-called half mating state. In this case, the contact of the electrical connector is not in contact with the contact of the mating electrical connector or is in an unstable contact state, and thus a contact failure occurs. If such half fitting can be detected, contact failure between the connectors can be prevented. However, in a state where the electrical connector and the mating electrical connector are assembled with each other, in order to check whether or not these connectors are in a half-fitted state, it is necessary to perform a conduction check such as inserting a probe for checking into a cable extending from the connectors, and it is necessary to take a lot of labor.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an electrical connector capable of reliably and easily detecting half fitting of the connector.

(1) In order to achieve the above object, an electrical connector according to an aspect of the present invention is an electrical connector to be fitted to a mating electrical connector, the electrical connector including: a housing; a contact mounted on the housing for contacting with a contact of the counterpart electrical connector; and a half fitting detection unit for detecting whether or not the mating electrical connector is fitted to the electrical connector at a standard fitting position, the half fitting detection unit including a pair of conductive inspection members mounted on the housing and being configured to: when the mating electrical connector is not arranged at the standard fitting position of 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 standard fitting position.

According to this configuration, the pair of inspection members are insulated when the mating electrical connector is not disposed at the standard fitting position of the electrical connector. On the other hand, as the mating electrical connector is arranged at the standard fitting position, the pair of inspection members are short-circuited to each other. With this configuration, the pair of inspection members are insulated from each other in a so-called half-fitted state in which the mating electrical connector is not arranged at the standard fitting position even though the mating electrical connector is fitted to the electrical connector. Therefore, in the half-fitted state, since no current flows between the pair of inspection members, it is possible to reliably detect that the pair of inspection members is not in the conductive state, that is, in the half-fitted state, by inspecting the conductive state between the pair of inspection members using an inspection apparatus or the like. Further, if the mating electrical connector and the electrical connector are in the standard mating state, the pair of inspection members are short-circuited to each other, and therefore, the conductive state, that is, the mating electrical connector and the electrical connector are in the standard mating state can be reliably detected by the inspection of the conductive state. Further, the inspection for the half fitting detection described above need not be performed by piercing the probe of the inspection apparatus into, for example, an electric wire extending from the counterpart electric connector, so that the half fitting of the connector can be detected reliably and easily.

(2) Each of the inspection units may include: a reinforcing sheet fixed to a substrate on which the electrical connector is mounted; and a short-circuit piece electrically connected to the reinforcing piece, wherein the electrical connector is configured to short-circuit the pair of short-circuit pieces when the mating electrical connector is arranged at the standard fitting position.

According to this configuration, the reinforcing sheet for fixing the electrical connector to the substrate can be used as a conduction path for half-fitting detection. Thus, it is not necessary to enter an inspection device for half-fitting detection into the electric connector or the electric wire extending from the mating electric connector, and half-fitting inspection can be performed more easily.

(3) In each of the inspection members, the reinforcing piece and the short-circuit piece may be formed by separate members.

According to this configuration, the reinforcing piece and the short-circuit piece are separate members, and the versatility of the inspection member can be particularly improved. More specifically, the width of the housing of the electrical connector becomes longer because the number of contacts in the electrical connector increases as the number of poles of the electrical connector increases. In this case, if the reinforcing piece and the shorting piece are integrally molded, it is necessary to prepare inspection members having different lengths of the shorting piece according to the type of the number of poles of the electrical connector. As a result, the number of workers for inspecting the manufacture of components and the number of workers for managing the components increase, which leads to an increase in the manufacturing cost of the electrical connector. In contrast, the pass-through reinforcing strip and the shorting strip are separate components, and the reinforcing strip can be formed of the same type of component regardless of the number of poles of the electrical connector. In addition, only the type of the shorting tab in the inspection member may be changed in accordance with the number of poles of the electrical connector. As a result, the labor for inspecting the manufacture of the component and the labor for component management can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the electrical connector can be reduced.

(4) The shorting plates may be formed in the same shape, and the pair of inspection members may be formed by being symmetrically arranged in the width direction of the electrical connector.

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

(5) The shorting tab may include an edge portion along an outer surface of the case, the edge portion having a through hole formed therein, and the shorting tab may include a fixing tab portion extending from an inner peripheral edge portion of the through hole toward the case and fixed to the case.

In this case, the short tab can be fixed to the case by the fixing tab portion of the short tab. Further, since the fixing piece portion extends from the inner peripheral edge portion of the through hole portion of the tab, the fixing piece portion does not need to extend so as to protrude outward of the tab. This makes it possible to further reduce the size of the shorting tab. For example, when the short-circuit piece is formed by press working, the fixing piece can be formed by punching the inner portion of the short-circuit piece.

(6) The short-circuit sheet may include an edge portion along an outer surface of the case, and the edge portion is provided with: a fixing piece fixed to the housing; and a short-circuit piece portion for contacting a counterpart short-circuit piece provided in the counterpart electrical connector, wherein the fixing piece portion and the short-circuit piece portion extend in the same direction from the edge-provided portion.

In this case, since the fixing piece portion and the shorting piece portion extend in the same direction from the extension portion, the thickness of the entire shorting piece can be made thinner. In the case where the tab for short circuit is manufactured by press working, the tab portion serving as the fixing tab portion and the tab portion serving as the short circuit tab portion can be formed by bending the tab portions in the same direction. This can further reduce the labor required for manufacturing the shorting tab.

(7) The mating electrical connector may include: a counterpart side electrical connector housing; a counterpart-side electrical connector contact mounted to the counterpart-side electrical connector housing for contacting the contact of the electrical connector; and a counterpart short-circuit piece attached to the counterpart electrical connector housing, wherein the counterpart short-circuit piece contacts the pair of short-circuit pieces when the counterpart electrical connector is placed at the standard fitting position, thereby short-circuiting the pair of short-circuit pieces.

In this case, the pair of shorting tabs can be reliably shorted with each other by arranging the mating electrical connector at a standard mating position.

(8) In the electrical connector, when the mating electrical connector is arranged at the standard fitting position, the conductive mating shorting piece provided in the mating electrical connector may pass through the corresponding shorting hole and face the outside of the housing, and the inspection members may be brought into contact with the mating shorting piece.

In this case, the mating short-circuiting piece is displaced toward the outside of the housing as the mating electrical connector is arranged at the standard mating position. With this configuration, when the mating electrical connector is arranged at the standard fitting position, the mating shorting tab can be brought into contact with the inspection member more reliably.

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

Drawings

Fig. 1 (a) and (B) are perspective views of an electrical connection device having a first connector as an electrical connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 (a) is a plan view of the electrical connection device, fig. 2 (B) is a front view of a main part of the electrical connection device, fig. 2 (C) is a side view of the main part of the electrical connection device, and fig. 2 (D) is a rear view of the main part of the electrical connection device.

Fig. 3 (a) is a sectional view of a main portion of the electrical connection device, showing a state of the electrical connection device as viewed in a length direction of the connector. Fig. 3 (B) is a sectional view of a main portion of the electrical connection device, showing a state of the electrical connection device as viewed in the connector width direction.

Fig. 4 (a) is a perspective view showing a state where a first connector in the electrical connection device is mounted on a substrate,

fig. 4 (B) is a front view of fig. 4 (a).

Fig. 5 (a) is a perspective view of a second housing as a housing of a second connector as a counterpart electrical connector of the electrical connecting device, fig. 5 (B) is a plan view of a main portion of the second housing, and fig. 5 (C) is a front view of a main portion of the second housing.

Fig. 6 (a) is a perspective view of an electrical connection device having a first connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 (B) is a sectional view of a main portion of the electrical connection device of the second embodiment, showing a state in which the electrical connection device is viewed in the connector length direction.

Fig. 7 (a) is a perspective view of an electrical connection device having a first connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 (B) is a front view showing the first connector of the third embodiment together with a substrate.

Fig. 8 (a) is a sectional view of a main part of the electrical connection device of the third embodiment in a half-fitted state, and shows a state in which the electrical connection device is viewed in the longitudinal direction of the connector. Fig. 8 (B) is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the electrical connection device of the third embodiment in a half-fitted state, showing a state in which the electrical connection device is viewed in the width direction of the electrical connector. Fig. 8 (C) is a sectional view of a main part of the electrical connecting device of the third embodiment in a standard fitting state, and shows a state in which the electrical connecting device is viewed in the longitudinal direction of the electrical connector. Fig. 8 (D) is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the electrical connection device of the third embodiment in a standard fitting state, and shows a state in which the electrical connection device is viewed in the width direction of the electrical connector.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a main portion of an electrical connection device schematically showing the structure of the main portion of a fourth embodiment of the present invention, showing a state of the electrical connection device as viewed in the thickness direction of the connector.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view showing a main part of a modification of the fourth embodiment, fig. 10 (a) shows a half fitting state, and fig. 10 (B) shows a standard fitting state.

Description of the reference symbols

2: a substrate; 10. 10A, 10B, 10C: a first connector (electrical connector); 11. 11A, 11B, 11C: a first housing (casing); 12: a first contact (contact); 13. 13A, 13B, 13C: a half-fit detection unit; 15aC, 15 bC: a short-circuit hole; 30. 30B, 30C: a second connector (counterpart electrical connector); 31. 31B, 31C: a second housing (counterpart side electrical connector housing); 32: a second contact (a contact of the counterpart electrical connector); 33. 33B, 33C: a second short-circuit patch (a counterpart short-circuit patch); 43a, 43b, 43aA, 43bA, 43aB, 43bB, 43aC, 43 bC: a pair of inspection members; 44a, 44b, 44aA, 44bA, 44 bB: a reinforcing sheet; 45a, 45b, 45aA, 45bA, 45bB, 45aC, 45 bC: a first short-circuit patch (short-circuit patch); 48. 48A, 48B: an edge portion; 49a, 49 b: a fixing sheet; 50. 50A, 50B: a first short-circuit piece (short-circuit piece); 51 a: a through hole portion; p1: a standard chimeric position; x1: the width direction.

Detailed Description

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

< first embodiment >

Fig. 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. Fig. 2 (a) is a plan view of the electrical connection device 1, fig. 2 (B) is a front view of a main part of the electrical connection device 1, fig. 2 (C) is a side view of a main part of the electrical connection device 1, and fig. 2 (D) is a rear view of a main part of the electrical connection device 1. Fig. 3 (a) is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the electrical connection device 1, showing a state where the electrical connection device 1 is viewed in the connector length direction Y1. Fig. 3 (B) is a sectional view of a main portion of the electrical connection device 1, showing a state where the electrical connection device 1 is viewed in the connector width direction X1. Fig. 4 (a) is a perspective view showing a state in which the first connector 10 in the electrical connection device 1 is mounted on the substrate 2, and fig. 4 (B) is a front view of fig. 4 (a). Fig. 5 (a) is a perspective view of the second housing 31 as a housing of the second connector 30 as the mating electrical connector of the electrical connection device 1, fig. 5 (B) is a plan view of a main part of the second housing 31, and fig. 5 (C) is a front view of a main part of the second housing 31.

Referring to fig. 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-board electrical connection device 1 that electrically connects a substrate 2 such as a control substrate or a power supply substrate and a plurality of coated wires 3. The electric wire of the coated electric wire 3 is connected to, for example, a substrate not shown, and thereby the substrate and the substrate 2 are electrically connected.

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

The circuit conductor patterns 2a are formed in the same number as the number of poles of the electrical connection device 1, that is, the number of first contacts 12 of the first connector 10, and are fixed to the corresponding first contacts 12 by soldering or the like so as to be able to conduct electricity. Each circuit conductor pattern 2a is connected to a circuit element, such as a semiconductor, not shown, provided on the substrate 2. The inspection conductor pattern 2b is a conductor pattern used for a half fitting inspection described later, and in the present embodiment, is formed into an endless loop shape in cooperation with the first connector 10. The inspection conductor pattern 2b is an end-capped loop portion formed in a substantially U shape in a plan view. Both ends of the inspection conductor pattern 2b include reinforcing piece fixing portions 2c and 2 c. The reinforcing- piece fixing portions 2c, 2c are formed in a rectangular shape, for example, and are conductively fixed to later-described reinforcing pieces 44a, 44b of the first connector 10 by welding 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 half-fit detection mechanism 40 provided in the connectors 10 and 30.

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 standard fitting position P1 with respect to the first connector 10, and the first connector 10 and the second connector 30 are electrically connected by fitting these connectors 10 and 30 to each other. In the present embodiment, the first connector 10 is mounted on the substrate 2, and the covered wire 3 is mounted on the second connector 30.

Each of the connectors 10 and 30 is formed in a flat shape elongated in a predetermined width direction X1 and thin in a thickness direction Z1 perpendicular to the width direction X1. In a state where the connectors 10 and 30 are connected to each other, the connectors face each other in the longitudinal direction Y1 perpendicular to both the width direction X1 and the thickness direction Z1.

Referring to fig. 3 (a) to 4 (B), the first connector 10 includes a first housing 11, a plurality of first contacts 12, and a half fitting detection portion 13 constituting a part of the half fitting detection mechanism 40.

The first housing 11 is provided to hold the plurality of first contacts 12 and the half fitting detection portion 13. The first housing 11 is formed using an insulating material such as 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 elongated in the width direction X1 and having one end opened in the longitudinal direction Y1. Specifically, the first housing 11 includes a pair of side walls 11a and 11b disposed 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 11 e.

The pair of side walls 11a and 11b are wall portions extending perpendicular to the width direction X1. The reinforcing sheet housing portions 11f and 11g are provided on the outer side surfaces of the pair of side walls 11a and 11 b. The reinforcing sheet housing portions 11f and 11g are formed such that portions of the corresponding side walls 11a and 11b protrude outward in the width direction X1. The reinforcing sheet housing portions 11f and 11g are formed with elongated grooves for housing later-described reinforcing sheets 44a and 44b, and the reinforcing sheets 44a and 44b are fixed to the grooves of the reinforcing sheet housing portions 11f and 11g by press-fitting or the like. The reinforcing- sheet housing portions 11f and 11g are formed in a shape in which the middle portion in the longitudinal direction Y1 is cut out, and the middle portion in the longitudinal direction Y1 of the reinforcing- sheet housing portions 11f and 11g is exposed outward in the width direction X1.

The bottom wall 11c is disposed along the substrate 2. The top wall 11d is disposed apart from the bottom wall 11c in the thickness direction Z1. The bottom wall 11c and the top wall 11d are rectangular portions extending perpendicularly to the thickness direction Z1. In the present embodiment, the ceiling wall 11d is formed in a shape symmetrical in the width direction X1.

The top wall 11d has fixing holes 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d and shorting holes 15a and 15 b.

In the present embodiment, the fixing holes 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d and the shorting holes 15a and 15b are disposed near the front end in the longitudinal direction Y1 of the first case 11.

The fixing holes 14a to 14d are provided as portions for fixing piece portions 49a, 49b, 49a, and 49b of first shorting pieces 45a and 45b, which will be described later. The fixing holes 14a and 14b are disposed at positions close to one side wall 11a, and the fixing holes 14c and 14d are disposed at positions close to the other side wall 11 b. In the present embodiment, the fixing holes 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d are rectangular holes penetrating the ceiling wall 11d in the thickness direction Z1 in plan view. Short circuit holes 15a and 15b are disposed between the fixing holes 14b and 14 c.

The shorting holes 15a and 15b are provided as portions through which second shorting tabs 33 and 33, which will be described later, of the first shorting tabs 45a and 45b pass. The shorting hole 15a is disposed near one side wall 11a, and the shorting hole 15b is disposed near the other side wall 11 b. In the present embodiment, the shorting holes 15a and 15b are rectangular holes penetrating the ceiling wall 11d in the thickness direction Z1 in plan view. Further, a first recess 16 and a pair of second recesses 17 and 17 are formed on the inner surface of the top wall 11d facing the bottom wall 11 c.

The first recess 16 is a portion into which a lock piece 35, which will be described later, of the second housing 31 is inserted, and is disposed at the center in the width direction X1 of the first housing 11. In addition, a first locking claw portion 18 is formed on an inner side surface of the top wall 11d at the first recess portion 16. The first locking claw portion 18 is disposed between the body portions 51, 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. The pair of second recesses 17 and 17 are formed so as to sandwich the first recess 16 in the width direction X1.

Referring to fig. 1 (B), 3 (B), and 4 (B), the rear wall 11e is a wall portion provided to close the rear end portion of the first housing 11 in the longitudinal direction Y1. In the rear wall 11e, a plurality of first contact through-holes are formed, and in the present embodiment, the first contact through-holes are arranged in two layers, for example, in the thickness direction Z1, and the plurality of first contact through-holes are arranged at equal intervals in the width direction X1 in each layer.

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

The first contacts 12 are provided for contacting the corresponding second contacts 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 a corresponding first contact through hole portion of the rear wall 11e by press-fitting or the like. The portion of each first contact 12 disposed in the housing hole 19 of the first housing 11 extends substantially in the longitudinal direction Y1. On the other hand, the portion of each first contact 12 disposed outside the first contact 12 is formed in a partially curved shape, and is fixed to the corresponding circuit conductor pattern 2a of the substrate 2 by soldering so as to be able to conduct electricity.

Next, the second connector 30 will be explained.

Referring to fig. 1a to 3B and 5a to 5C, the second connector 30 includes a second housing 31, a plurality of second contacts 32, and a second shorting tab 33 constituting a part of the half-fit detection mechanism 40.

As described above, the second connector 30 is an example of the "mating side electrical connector" of the present invention, the second housing 31 is an example of the "mating side electrical connector housing" of the present invention, the second contact 32 is an example of the "mating side electrical connector contact" of the present invention, and the second shorting tab 33 is an example of the "mating side shorting tab" of the present invention.

The second housing 31 is provided to hold a plurality of second contacts 32 and one second shorting tab 33. The second housing 31 is formed using an insulating material such as 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 accommodated in the accommodating 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 case body 34 is a block-shaped portion formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The second housing 31 has a plurality of second contact accommodating holes. The second contact receiving holes are arranged, for example, in two layers in the thickness direction Z1, and the plurality of second contact receiving holes are arranged at equal intervals in the width direction X1 in each layer. Each of the second contact accommodating holes penetrates the second housing body 34 in the longitudinal direction Y1.

The second contacts 32 are provided for contacting the corresponding first contacts 12 of the first connector 10. The second contacts 32 are conductive members formed by bending a metal material or the like, and one second contact 32 is disposed in one second contact accommodating hole portion. The second contact 32 is electrically and mechanically connected to the corresponding electric wire of the covered electric wire 3 by pressure-bonding fixation or the like in the second contact accommodating hole portion.

A pair of projections 34a, 34a are formed on one end side (upper end side) in the thickness direction Z1 of the second case body 34. The pair of projections 34a, 34a are convex strips extending in the longitudinal direction Y1. The pair of projections 34a, 34a are fitted into the corresponding second recesses 17, 17 of the first housing 11. A lock piece portion 35 is provided between the pair of convex portions 34a, 34 a.

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 is swingably displaceable about a connecting portion 35a with the second casing main body 34 as a fulcrum. One end (front end) of the lock piece portion 35 in the longitudinal direction Y1 of the second case main body 34 is continuous with the second case main body 34, and extends from the continuous portion toward the other end (rear end) in the longitudinal direction Y1.

The lock piece portion 35 is formed in a rod shape which is raised in the thickness direction Z1 at the base end portion of the lock piece portion 35 and then advances rearward in the longitudinal direction Y1. The length of the lock piece portion 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 portion 35 is inserted into the first recess 16. The distal end portion (rear end portion) of the lock piece portion 35 includes an operation piece portion for allowing an operator to swing the lock piece portion 35 with a finger.

The second locking claw portion 36 is provided at an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction Y1 of the locking piece portion 35. The second locking pawl portion 36 is provided as a projection-like portion. When the second housing 31 is housed in the housing hole 19 of the first housing 11, the second locking claw 36 and the first locking claw 18 are engaged with each other, thereby restricting the second housing 31 from falling off from the first housing 11. A holding groove portion 37 is formed in a proximal end side portion of the lock piece portion 35.

The holding groove portion 37 is provided to hold the second shorting tab 33. The holding groove portion 37 is provided so that a front end side portion in the longitudinal direction Y1 of the lock piece portion 35 is recessed rearward. The holding groove portion 37 is formed in a substantially U shape when viewed from the front (when viewed in the longitudinal direction Y1). Both ends in the width direction X1 of the holding groove portion 37 extend in the thickness direction Z1 to be open to the upper side of the lock piece portion 35, and the middle portion in the width direction X1 of the holding groove portion 37 extends in the width direction X1.

Next, the structure of the half fitting detection mechanism 40 will be explained.

The half fitting detection means 40 is provided to detect whether or not the second connector 30 is fitted to the standard fitting position P1 of the first connector 10.

The half fitting detection mechanism 40 includes: a half fitting detection unit 13 attached to the first housing 11 and constituting a part of the first connector 10; and a second shorting tab 33 attached to the second housing 31 and constituting a part of the second connector 30.

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

The second shorting tab 33 includes a base portion 41 and a pair of second shorting tab portions 42 and 42 extending from the base portion 41. The base portion 41 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape, for example. 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. Thereby, the second shorting tab 33 swings and displaces in accordance with the swing displacement of the lock tab portion 35. A pair of second shorting pieces 42, 42 are provided at both ends of the base 41 in the width direction X1.

The pair of second shorting pieces 42 and 42 are provided to contact a pair of inspection members 43a and 43b of the half-fit detection unit 13, which will be described later. The pair of second shorting pieces 42 and 42 are disposed at both ends of the holding groove portion 37 in the width direction X1. The rear end portions of the second shorting pieces 42, 42 in the longitudinal direction Y1 are formed in a mountain shape protruding upward in a side view (in the width direction X1), and are supported by the base 41 in a cantilever manner so as to be elastically deformable.

Next, the half fitting detection unit 13 will be explained.

Referring to fig. 3 (a) to 4 (B), half-fit detection unit 13 includes a pair of conductive inspection members 43a and 43B attached to first housing 11.

The pair of inspection members 43a and 43b are configured to: when the second connectors 30 are not arranged at the standard fitting position P1, they are insulated from each other, and when the second connectors 30 are arranged at the standard fitting position P1, they are short-circuited with each other. In the present embodiment, the pair of inspection members 43a and 43b are short-circuited with each other by the pair of inspection members 43a and 43b being in contact with the second shorting tab 33.

The pair of inspection members 43a and 43b are disposed outside the first housing 11, attached to the first housing 11, and exposed from the first housing 11. In the present embodiment, the pair of inspection members 43a and 43b are disposed at positions near the front in the longitudinal direction Y1 of the first housing 11. In the present embodiment, the pair of inspection members 43a and 43b are formed in the same shape as each other. 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 metal plate having the same conductivity as the material of the first contact 12.

The pair of inspection members 43a and 43b includes reinforcing pieces 44a and 44b fixed to the board 2 on which the first connector 10 is mounted, and first shorting pieces 45a and 45b electrically connected to the corresponding reinforcing pieces 44a and 44 b.

The reinforcing pieces 44a, 44b are provided for improving the bonding strength between the first connector 10 and the board 2, the reinforcing pieces 44a, 44b are disposed at both ends of the first housing 11 in the width direction X1 and along the outer side surfaces of the corresponding side walls 11a, 11b, in the present embodiment, the reinforcing pieces 44a, 44b are each formed in a L shape, and each of the reinforcing pieces 44a, 44b is an integrally molded product formed by press-working a metal plate having the same conductivity as the material of the first contact 12.

Each of the reinforcing pieces 44a and 44b has a parallel portion 46 and an erected portion 47 erected from the parallel portion 46.

The parallel portion 46 is a rectangular flat plate-like portion arranged substantially parallel to the substrate 2, and is fixed to a corresponding reinforcing sheet fixing portion 2c that is conductively fixed to the substrate 2 by welding. An upright portion 47 extends from one edge portion of the parallel portion 46.

The rising portion 47 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape extending so as to be raised from the substrate 2, and in the present embodiment, extends perpendicularly to the substrate 2. The rising portion 47 is fitted into the corresponding reinforcing sheet housing portions 11f, 11g of the first housing 11, and is fixed to the reinforcing sheet housing portions 11f, 11g by press fitting or the like. Further, the intermediate portion of the rising portion 47 in the longitudinal direction Y1 is exposed from the corresponding reinforcing sheet housing portions 11f, 11 g. One end portion (distal end portion distant from the substrate 2) in the thickness direction Z1 of the standing portion 47 protrudes from the corresponding reinforcing sheet housing portion 11f, 11g in the thickness direction Z1. The corresponding first shorting tabs 45a, 45b are in conductive contact with portions of the rising portion 47 that protrude from the reinforcing tab accommodating portions 11f, 11g, for example.

When the second connector 30 is arranged at the normal fitting position P1, the first shorting pieces 45a, 45b contact the second shorting piece 33 of the second connector 30 to short the pair of first shorting pieces 45a, 45b to each other, in the present embodiment, the first shorting pieces 45a, 45b are formed separately from the reinforcing pieces 44a, 44b, the first shorting pieces 45a, 45b are formed integrally in a L shape and arranged from the top wall 11d of the first housing 11 to the corresponding side walls 11a, 11b, and the first shorting pieces 45a, 45b are integrally molded products formed by pressing a metal plate having the same conductivity as the material of the first contact 12.

Each of the first shorting tabs 45a and 45b has a border portion 48 along the outer surface of the first case 11, fixing tab portions 49a and 49b protruding from the border portion 48, and a first shorting tab portion 50.

Each of the edge portions 48 includes a main body 51 and an elastic piece 52 extending from the main body 51.

The main body 51 is a rectangular flat plate-like portion arranged substantially parallel to the top wall 11d of the first housing 11. The length of the body 51 in the longitudinal direction Y1 is set according to the number of poles of the first connector 10. The length of the body portion 51 in the longitudinal direction Y1 increases as the number of poles of the first connector 10 increases. In this way, in the pair of inspection members 43a and 43b, by changing the lengths of the first shorting tabs 45a and 45b in the main bodies 51 and 51, a configuration corresponding to the number of poles of the first connector 10 can be realized without changing the shape of the other portions. Each main body 51 has a through hole 51 a.

The through holes 51a are rectangular holes formed inside the corresponding main body 51 and extending in the width direction X1 in a long and narrow manner in a plan view, and are not open to the outer peripheral edge of the main body 51. The fixing piece portions 49a and 49b protrude from the inner peripheral edge portion of the through hole 51 a.

The fixing piece portions 49a and 49b are portions extending toward the top wall 11d of the first housing 11 and fixed to the first housing 11. The fixing piece portions 49a and 49b are, for example, hook-shaped cantilever-like projections provided at both ends of the through hole 51a in the longitudinal direction Y1, and are hooked in the corresponding fixing holes 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d of the first housing 11. Thereby, the first shorting tabs 45a and 45b are fixed to the top wall 11d of the first housing 11. A first shorting piece 50 is provided adjacent to the fixing piece 49 b.

The first shorting tab portion 50 is a portion extending toward the first housing 11 and adapted to contact the corresponding second shorting tab portion 42 of the second shorting tab 33 of the second connector 30. Each first shorting tab 50 is, for example, a cantilevered projection provided at one end in the longitudinal direction Y1 of the mount 48, and extends from the outer peripheral edge of the main body 51 of the mount 48 in the same direction as the fixing tabs 49a and 49 b. The first shorting tabs 50 are inserted into the corresponding shorting holes 15a and 15b of the first case 11. The distal end portion of each first shorting tab 50 is disposed in the receiving hole 19 of the first housing 11 and contacts the corresponding second shorting tab 42, 42 of the second shorting tab 33 of the second connector 30 disposed at the standard mating position P1. Thereby, the first shorting tabs 45a and 45b are electrically connected to each other through the second shorting tab 33 of the second connector 30. The elastic piece portion 52 is provided so as to be separated from the second shorting piece 33 in the width direction X1.

The elastic piece portion 52 is provided so as to be in contact with the outer side surface of the rising portion 47 of the corresponding reinforcing piece 44a, 44b facing the outside in the width direction X1, thereby being in electrical communication with the reinforcing piece 44a, 44 b. The elastic piece portion 52 is a curved portion extending from one edge portion in the width direction X1 of the main body portion 51 of the installation portion 48 toward the substrate 2 side. 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 extension portion 48, then bends toward the first housing 11 side, and then bends away from the first housing 11. The curved portion of the distal end portion of the elastic piece portion 52 is in pressure contact with the outer side surface of the corresponding reinforcing piece 44a, 44b to apply an elastic reaction force to the outer side surface.

Next, a connection operation of the first connector 10 and the second connector 30 in the electrical connection device 1 having the above-described configuration will be described.

When the second connector 30 and the first connector 10 are not connected, the first shorting tabs 45a and 45b are arranged apart from each other and insulated from each other in the pair of inspection members 43a and 43b of the half fitting detection portion 13. As shown in fig. 1 (a), 3 (a), and 3 (B), when the second connector 30 is connected to the first connector 10 from this state, the second housing 31 of the second connector 30 is inserted into the receiving hole 19 of the first housing 11 of the first connector 10.

In this insertion operation, the second shorting tab 33 of the second connector 30 does not contact the first shorting tabs 45a and 45b of the first connector 10 while the second connector 30 is inserted into the first connector 10. Therefore, the first shorting tabs 45a and 45b are kept insulated. Then, when the second connector 30 is further inserted into the first connector 10, the second locking claw portion 36 of the locking piece portion 35 of the second connector 30 is caught on the first locking claw portion 18 of the first connector 10, whereby the locking piece portion 35 is swung. Then, when the second locking pawl portion 36 passes over the first locking pawl portion 18, the lock piece portion 35 swings back to the position side before swinging, and the first locking pawl portion 18 and the second locking pawl portion 36 are hooked to each other. Thereby, the first connector 10 and the second connector 30 are locked. At this time, each first contact 12 of the first connector 10 and the corresponding second contact 32 of the second connector 30 are in contact with each other, and these contacts 31, 32 are electrically connected.

The position at which the first connector 10 and the second connector 30 are locked is the standard fitting position P1. When the second connector 30 is arranged at the normal fitting position P1, the peak portions of the second shorting tab portions 42 of the second shorting tabs 33 of the second connector 30 are arranged such that: the first shorting piece 50 of the inspection members 43a and 43b of the first connector 10 is pressed down to abut against the locking portion 35 and to contact the corresponding first shorting piece 50. Thereby, the pair of inspection members 43a and 43b can be conducted through the second shorting tab 33.

That is, when the second connector 30 is arranged at the normal fitting position P1, the second shorting tab 33 of the second connector 30 contacts the pair of first shorting tabs 45a and 45b, and the pair of first shorting tabs 45a and 45b are shorted 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, a closed circuit is inspected from the outside of each of the connectors 10 and 30 by conduction inspection using an inspection device not shown in the drawings to determine whether or not the inspection conductor pattern 2b and the pair of inspection members 43a and 43b form a closed circuit.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the second connector 30 is not disposed at the standard fitting position P1, the pair of inspection members 43a and 43b are insulated. On the other hand, when the second connector 30 is arranged at the standard fitting position P1, the pair of inspection members 43a and 43b are short-circuited to each other. With this configuration, the pair of inspection members 43a and 43b are insulated from each other in a so-called half-fitted state in which the second connector 30 is not disposed at the standard fitting position P1 even though the second connector 30 is fitted to the first connector 10. Therefore, in the half-fitted state, since no current flows between the pair of inspection members 43a and 43b, the absence of conduction, that is, the half-fitted state can be reliably detected by inspecting the conduction state between the pair of inspection members 43a and 43b using an inspection apparatus or the like. Further, if the second connector 30 and the first connector 10 are in the normal fitting state, the pair of inspection members 43a and 43b are short-circuited to each other, and therefore, the conductive state, that is, the state in which the second connector and the first connector 10 are in the normal fitting state can be reliably detected by the inspection of the conductive state. Moreover, the inspection for the above-described half fitting detection need not be performed by piercing a probe of an inspection apparatus into, for example, the covered electric wire 3 extending from the second connector 30, so that the half fitting of the connectors 10, 30 can be detected reliably and easily.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, the reinforcing pieces 44a and 44b for fixing the first connector to the board 2 can be used as the conduction paths for half fitting detection. This eliminates the need for an inspection device for half-fitting inspection to enter the inside of the first connector 10 or the covered electric wire 3 extending from the second connector 30, and thus makes it possible to perform half-fitting inspection more easily.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the reinforcing pieces 44a and 44b and the corresponding first shorting pieces 45a and 45b are separate members, and the versatility of the inspection members 43a and 43b can be particularly improved. More specifically, the width of the first housing 11 becomes longer as the number of poles of the first connector 10 increases and the number of the first contacts 12 increases. In this case, if the reinforcing piece and the shorting piece are integrally molded, it is necessary to prepare inspection members having different lengths of the shorting piece according to the type of the number of poles of the first connector. As a result, the number of workers for inspecting the manufacture of the components and the number of workers for managing the components increase, which leads to an increase in the manufacturing cost of the first connector. In contrast, according to the present embodiment, the reinforcing pieces 44a and 44b and the first shorting pieces 45a and 45b are separate members, and the reinforcing pieces 44a and 44b can be configured by the same kind of member regardless of the number of poles of the first connector 10. In addition, only the types of the first shorting tabs 45a and 45b in the inspection members 43a and 43b may be changed in accordance with the number of poles of the first connector 10. As a result, the labor for inspecting the manufacture of the components 43a and 43b and the labor for component management can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the first connector 10 can be reduced.

Here, the advantage that the reinforcing pieces 44a and 44b and the corresponding first shorting pieces 45a and 45b are separate members will be described in more detail below. The reinforcing pieces 44a and 44b and the corresponding first shorting pieces 45a and 45b are separate members, and as the reinforcing pieces 44a and 44b, conventional reinforcing pieces for an electrical connector that do not have the half fitting detection portion 13 can be directly used as the reinforcing pieces 44a and 44 b. This can further improve the versatility of the reinforcing sheets 44a and 44 b.

Further, if the reinforcing piece is integrally molded with the short-circuiting piece, the developed length (length before bending) of the short-circuiting piece portion becomes long, which leads to an increase in manufacturing cost. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the reinforcing pieces 44a and 44b and the corresponding first shorting pieces 45a and 45b are separate members, and the length of each first shorting piece 45a and 45b as one member can be shortened. Therefore, by replacing the press-forming dies for the first shorting tabs 45a and 45b, the first shorting tabs 45a and 45b corresponding to the plurality of types of first connectors 10 having different numbers of poles can be formed.

In addition, when inspection members having different shapes in the width direction X1 (left and right) are used, the mold requires two surfaces for different numbers of poles and numbers for the left and right members, which makes the member management complicated. In contrast, in the present embodiment, since the first shorting tabs 45a and 45b have the same shape, one surface of the mold is sufficient, and the parts management is simple, so that the manufacturing cost of the first shorting tabs 45a and 45b can be significantly reduced.

Further, if the reinforcing piece and the shorting piece are integrally molded, the overall length of the integrally molded member is long, and therefore, it is necessary to perform bending so that the integrally molded member becomes short enough to be handled by an automatic insertion machine, and thus handling of the integrally molded member becomes complicated. In contrast, in the present embodiment, since the reinforcing pieces 44a and 44b can be shortened, the automatic insertion machine can be directly handled as if inserting a conventional short reinforcing piece. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the first connector 10 can be reduced. Further, since the total length of the reinforcing pieces 44a and 44b is short, the processing steps such as plating can be easily and quickly performed when the reinforcing pieces 44a and 44b are manufactured, and the size of the reinforcing pieces 44a and 44b can be reduced. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the first connector 10 can be further reduced by simplification of parts management or the like.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the pair of first shorting tabs 45a and 45b are formed in the same shape, and are symmetrically arranged in the width direction X1, thereby forming the pair of inspection members 43a and 43 b. With this configuration, the number of types of components 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 portions of the through hole portions 51a of the first shorting pieces 45a and 45b toward the first case 11 and are fixed to the first case 11. According to this configuration, the first shorting tabs 45a and 45b can be fixed to the first case 11 by the fixing tab portions 49a and 49b of the first shorting tabs 45a and 45 b. Further, since the fixing piece portions 49a and 49b extend from the inner peripheral edge portions of the through holes 51a of the first shorting pieces 45a and 45b, the fixing piece portions 49a and 49b do not need to extend so as to protrude outward of the first shorting pieces 45a and 45 b. This makes it possible to further reduce the size of the first shorting tabs 45a and 45 b. For example, when the first shorting pieces 45a and 45b are formed by press working, the fixing piece portions 49a and 49b can be formed by punching the inner portions of the first shorting pieces 45a and 45 b.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, the fixing piece portions 49a and 49b and the first shorting piece portion 50 of the first shorting pieces 45a and 45b extend in the same direction from the extension portion 48. In this case, since the fixing piece portions 49a and 49b and the first shorting piece portion 50 extend in the same direction from the extension portion 48, the thickness of the entire first shorting piece 45a and 45b can be made thinner. In the case where the first shorting pieces 45a and 45b are manufactured by press working, the fixing piece portions 49a and 49b and the first shorting piece portion 50 can be formed by bending the piece portions serving as the fixing piece portions 49a and 49b and the piece portion serving as the first shorting piece portion 50 in the same direction. This can further reduce the labor required for manufacturing the first shorting tabs 45a and 45 b.

Further, according to the present embodiment, by arranging the second connector 30 at the normal fitting position P1, the second shorting tab 33 of the second connector 30 contacts the pair of first shorting tabs 45a and 45b of the first connector 10, and the pair of first shorting tabs 45a and 45b are shorted with each other. In this case, by arranging the second connector 30 at the standard fitting position P1, the pair of first shorting pieces 45a and 45b can be reliably shorted with each other.

In the above embodiment, the structure in which the first shorting tabs 45a and 45b contact the outer side surfaces of the corresponding reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b has been described as an example. However, this may not be the case. For example, one end portion (distal end portion) of the rising portion 47 of each of the reinforcing pieces 44a and 44b may be formed to be spaced apart from the first case 11, and the distal end portion of the corresponding elastic piece portion 52 of the first shorting piece 45a or 45b may be disposed between the inner surface of the rising portion 47 and the first case 11, so that the elastic piece portion 52 is in contact with the inner surface of the corresponding rising portion 47.

< second embodiment >

Fig. 6 (a) 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. 6 (B) is a sectional view of a main portion of the electrical connection device 1A of the second embodiment, showing a state viewed in the longitudinal direction Y1 of the electrical connection device 1A.

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

Referring to fig. 6 a and 6B, the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the reinforcing tabs 44aA and 44bA and the corresponding first shorting tabs 45aA and 45bA are integrally molded using a single material.

The first connector 10A includes a first housing 11A, a plurality of first contacts 12, and a half fitting detection portion 13A constituting 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 half fit detector 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 configured to: when the second connectors 30 are not arranged at the standard fitting position P1, they are insulated from each other, and are shorted together as the second connectors 30 are arranged at the standard fitting position P1. In the present embodiment, the pair of inspection members 43aA and 43bA are short-circuited with each other by the pair of inspection members 43aA and 43bA coming into contact with the second shorting piece portion 42 of the second shorting piece 33.

In the present 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 crank shapes as a whole. Each of the inspection members 43aA and 43bA is an integrally molded product formed by press working a metal plate having the same conductivity as the material of the first contact 12.

The pair of inspection members 43aA and 43bA includes reinforcing pieces 44aA and 44bA fixed to the board 2 on which the first connector 10 is mounted, and first shorting pieces 45aA and 45bA continuous with the corresponding reinforcing pieces 44aA and 44 bA.

The reinforcing pieces 44aA and 44bA have the same configuration as the reinforcing pieces 44a and 44b of the first embodiment, except that they are integrally molded with the corresponding first shorting pieces 45aA and 45 bA. Corresponding first shorting pieces 45aA and 45bA extend from portions of the rising portions 47 of the first shorting pieces 45aA and 45bA that protrude from the reinforcing piece housing portions 11f and 11g, for example.

Each of the first shorting tabs 45aA and 45bA has a beam-shaped extension portion 48A extending along the outer surface of the top wall 11d of the first case 11, and a first shorting tab portion 50A protruding from the extension portion 48A.

The proximal end of the extended portion 48A is continuous with the corresponding reinforcing pieces 44aA and 44 bA. A first shorting tab 50A is provided at a distal end portion of the extension portion 48A.

The first shorting tab portion 50A is a portion extending toward the first housing 11A and adapted to contact the corresponding second shorting tab portion 42 of the second connector 30. The first shorting tab 50A is, for example, a cantilever-shaped projection provided on the extension 48A, and is inserted into the corresponding shorting holes 15a and 15b of the first housing 11A. The distal end portion of the second shorting tab 33A is disposed in the receiving hole 19 and contacts the corresponding second shorting tab portion 42 of the second shorting tab 33 of the second connector 30 disposed at the standard fitting position P1. Thereby, the first shorting tabs 45aA and 45bA are electrically connected to each other through the second shorting 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 member.

< third embodiment >

Fig. 7 (a) 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. 7 (B) is a front view showing the first connector 10B of the third embodiment together with the substrate 2. Fig. 8 (a) is a sectional view of a main part of the half-fitted state of the electrical connection device 1B according to the third embodiment, and shows a state in which the electrical connection device 1B is viewed in the longitudinal direction Y1. Fig. 8 (B) is a sectional view of a main part of the half-fitted state of the electrical connection device 1B according to the third embodiment, and shows a state in which the electrical connection device 1B is viewed in the width direction X1. Fig. 8 (C) is a sectional view of a main part of the electrical connection device 1B according to the third embodiment in a standard fitting state, and shows a state where the electrical connection device 1B is viewed in the longitudinal direction Y1. Fig. 8 (D) is a cross-sectional view of a main portion of the electrical connection device 1B according to the third embodiment in a standard fitting state, and shows a state where the electrical connection device 1B is viewed in the width direction X1.

Referring to fig. 7 (a) to 8 (D), the third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that: the second shorting tab 33B of the second connector 30B is an insulating member and is formed of synthetic resin, and the pair of inspection members 43aB and 43bB of the first connector 10B is configured to correspond to the second shorting tab 33B. A more specific configuration of the electrical connection device 1B will be described below.

The electrical connection device 1B includes a first connector 10B, a second connector 30B, and a half fitting detection mechanism 40B provided in the connectors 10B and 30B.

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

The first case 11B has the same configuration as the first case 11 of the first embodiment except that the shorting hole 15a is not formed and the shorting hole 15B is formed substantially at the center in the width direction X1 of the top wall 11 d.

The second connector 30B includes a second housing 31B, a plurality of second contacts 32, and a second shorting tab 33B constituting a part of the half fitting detection mechanism 40B.

The second case 31B has the same configuration as the second case 31 of the first embodiment, except that it is integrally molded with the second shorting tab 33B. In the present embodiment, the entire second housing 31B and the second shorting tab 33B are formed as an integrally molded product 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 portion 35B has the same structure as the lock piece portion 35 of the first embodiment, except that it is integrally molded with the second shorting tab 33B. A second shorting tab 33B is formed at a distal end side portion of the lock tab portion 35B.

The half fitting detection means 40B is provided to detect whether or not the second connector 30B is fitted to the first connector 10B at the standard fitting position P1.

The half fitting detection mechanism 40B includes: a half fitting detection unit 13B attached to the first housing 11B and constituting a part of the first connector 10B; and a second shorting tab 33B attached to the second housing 31B and constituting a part of the second connector 30B.

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

The second shorting tab 33B is disposed at the center of the lock tab portion 35B in the width direction X1, and is adjacent to the second locking claw portion 36 in the present embodiment. Thereby, the second shorting tab 33B swings and displaces in accordance with the swing displacement of the lock tab portion 35B. The second shorting tab 33B is configured to contact the other 43bB of the pair of inspection members 43aB, 43 bB. The second shorting tab 33B is formed in a protruding shape protruding from the upper surface of the lock tab portion 35B.

The half fit detector 13B includes a pair of conductive inspection members 43aB and 43bB mounted on the first housing 11B.

The pair of inspection members 43aB and 43bB are configured to: when the second connectors 30B are not arranged at the standard fitting position P1, they are insulated from each other, and are shorted together as the second connectors 30B are arranged at the standard fitting position P1B. In the third embodiment, the pair of inspection members 43aB, 43bB are brought into direct contact with each other to short circuit by the inspection member 43bB being brought into contact with the second shorting tab 33B.

The pair of inspection members 43aB, 43bB are formed asymmetrically in the width direction X1. The inspection members 43aB and 43bB are formed by pressing a metal plate having the same conductivity as the material of the first contact 12.

One inspection member 43aB includes a reinforcing piece 44a fixed to the substrate 2 and a first shorting piece 45aB electrically connected to the reinforcing piece 44 a.

The first shorting tab 45aB has the same structure as the first shorting tab 45a of the first embodiment, except for the first shorting tab 50B. Specifically, the first shorting tab 45aB includes a border portion 48 along the outer surface of the first case 11B, fixing tab portions 49a and 49B protruding from the border portion 48, and a first shorting tab portion 50B.

The first shorting tab 45aB is not arranged in direct contact with the second shorting tab 33B of the second connector 30. The first shorting tab 50B is, for example, a cantilever tab provided at one end of the extension 48.

The other inspection member 43bB includes a reinforcing piece 44bB and a first shorting piece 45bB extending from the reinforcing piece 44 bB.

The other reinforcing piece 44bB has the same structure as the reinforcing piece 44b, except that it is integrally molded with the first shorting piece 45 bB. The first shorting tab 45bB extends from a portion of the rising portion 47 of the first shorting tab 45bB that protrudes from the reinforcing tab accommodating portion 11g, for example.

The other first shorting tab 45bB includes a beam-shaped extension portion 48B continuous with the reinforcement tab 44bB along the outer surface of the top wall 11d of the first case 11B, and a first shorting tab portion 50A protruding from the end of the extension portion 48B.

The first shorting tab portion 50A is a portion extending toward the first housing 11B and adapted to contact the second shorting tab 33B of the second connector 30B. The first shorting tab 50A is inserted into the corresponding shorting hole 15B of the first case 11B. The distal end portion of the first shorting tab 50A is disposed in the receiving hole 19 and lifted by coming into contact with the second shorting tab 33B of the second connector 30B disposed at the standard fitting position P1. Thus, the first shorting tabs 45aB and 45bB are in direct contact with each other and can be electrically connected to each other.

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

< fourth embodiment >

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a main portion of an electrical connection device 1C schematically showing the configuration of the main portion of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the electrical connection device 1C is viewed in the thickness direction Z1.

Referring to fig. 9, in the present embodiment, the first case 11C includes a pair of short-circuit holes 15aC and 15bC that open the storage hole 19, which is a space in the first case 11C, to the pair of inspection members 43aC and 43 bC. When the second connector 30C is arranged at the standard fitting position P1 of the first connector 10C, the inspection members 43aC and 43bC are configured to pass through the corresponding shorting holes 15aC and 15bC and to contact the second shorting tab 33C. The following description will be more specifically made.

The electrical connection device 1C includes a first connector 10C, a second connector 30C, and a half fitting detection mechanism 40C provided in the connectors 10C and 30C.

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

The first case 11C has the same configuration as the first case 11 of the first embodiment, except that shorting holes 15aC and 15bC are formed in the side walls 11a and 11 b. The shorting holes 15aC and 15bC penetrate the corresponding side walls 11a and 11b in the width direction X1.

The second connector 30C includes a second housing 31C, a plurality of second contacts 32, and a second shorting tab 33C constituting a part of the half fitting detection mechanism 40C.

The second case 31C has the same configuration as the second case 31 of the first embodiment except that the second shorting tab 33C is held in place of the second shorting tab 33.

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

The half fitting detection mechanism 40C includes: a half fitting detection unit 13C attached to the first housing 11C and constituting a part of the first connector 10C; and a second shorting tab 33C attached to the second housing 31C and constituting a part of the second connector 30C.

The second shorting tab 33C is formed using the same conductive material as the second contact 32.

The second shorting tab 33C includes a base portion 41C held by the second case 31C and a pair of second shorting tab portions 42C and 42C extending from the base portion 41C. The base portion 41C extends in the width direction X1. The second shorting pieces 42C, 42C are provided at both ends of the base portion 41C in the width direction X1.

The pair of second shorting tabs 42C and 42C are formed in a protruding shape protruding from the second case 31C toward one side (the back side of the first case 11C) in the longitudinal direction Y1.

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

The pair of inspection units 43aC and 43bC are configured to: when the second connector 30C is not arranged at the normal fitting position P1, they are insulated from each other and short-circuited with each other as the second connector 30C is arranged at the normal fitting position P1. In the present embodiment, the pair of inspection members 43aC and 43bC are short-circuited with each other by the pair of inspection members 43aC and 43bC coming into contact with the corresponding second short- circuiting piece portions 42C and 42C of the second short-circuiting piece 33C.

The pair of inspection members 43aC and 43bC includes reinforcing pieces 44a and 44b and first shorting pieces 45aC and 45bC formed integrally with the corresponding reinforcing pieces 44a and 44 b.

The first shorting tabs 45aC and 45bC extend from the rising portions 47 of the corresponding reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b into the receiving holes 19 through the corresponding shorting holes 15aC and 15 bC. Each of the first shorting tabs 45aC and 45bC is formed in an elastically deformable cantilever spring shape.

When the second connector 30C is arranged at the normal fitting position P1, the first shorting pieces 45aC and 45bC are brought into contact with the corresponding second shorting piece portions 42C and 42C of the second shorting piece 33C of the second connector 30C, whereby the pair of first shorting pieces 45aC and 45bC are shorted with each other.

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

In the fourth embodiment, the first shorting tabs 45aC and 45bC of the first connector 10C are inserted into the shorting holes 15aC and 15bC, for example. However, this may not be the case. For example, referring to fig. 10 (a) and 10 (B) showing a modification of the fourth embodiment, the half fitting detection portion 13C of the first connector 10C may include a pair of inspection members including the reinforcing pieces 44a and 44B. In this case, the second shorting tab 33C ' provided in the second connector 30C has a pair of spring-like second shorting tab portions 42C ', 42C ' protruding outward in the width direction X1 from the second housing 31C. The second shorting pieces 42C ', 42C' are not in contact with the reinforcing pieces 44a, 44b when the connectors 10C, 30C are in the half-fitted state. On the other hand, when the second connector 30C is arranged at the normal fitting position P1, the second shorting tab portions 42C ', 42C' pass through the corresponding shorting holes 15aC, 15bC and are directed outward of the first housing 11C, thereby coming into contact with the inner surfaces of the rising portions 47 of the corresponding reinforcing tabs 44a, 44 b. Thereby, the pair of reinforcing pieces 44a, 44b are short-circuited.

According to this modification, as the second connector 30C is arranged at the standard fitting position P1, the second shorting tab 33C' is displaced outward of the first housing 11C. With this configuration, when the second connector 30C is arranged at the standard fitting position P1, more reliable contact between the second shorting tab 30C' and the inspection member (the reinforcing tabs 44a and 44b) can be achieved.

While 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 within the scope of the claims.

(1) In the above-described embodiments and modifications, the form of the Surface Mount (SMT) type electrical connector in which the first connector is disposed on the mounting Surface of the circuit board has been described as an example, but the invention is not limited thereto. The first connector may be an insertion-mounting type electrical connector such as a DIP (dual inline Package) connector that is fitted into a through hole of the circuit board.

(2) In the above-described embodiments, the form of the electrical connection device as a board-to-line type connection device that electrically connects the circuit board and the wire has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention can also be applied to a wire-to-wire type electric connecting device that electrically connects an electric wire and an electric wire.

Industrial applicability

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

Claims (7)

1. An electrical connector to be fitted to an electrical connector on the other side,

the electric connector comprises:

a housing;

a contact mounted on the housing for contacting with a contact of the counterpart electrical connector; and

a half fitting detection unit for detecting whether or not the mating electrical connector is fitted to the electrical connector at a normal fitting position,

the half fitting detection unit includes a pair of conductive inspection members attached to the housing, and is configured to: wherein the inspection members are insulated from each other when the mating electrical connector is not arranged at the standard fitting position of the electrical connector, and the inspection members are short-circuited with each other when the mating electrical connector is arranged at the standard fitting position,

each of the inspection members includes: a reinforcing sheet fixed to a substrate on which the electrical connector is mounted, for improving a bonding strength between the electrical connector and the substrate; and a short-circuiting piece electrically connected to the reinforcing piece,

the reinforcing sheet is formed into an L shape, is arranged at both ends of the housing in the width direction, and is along the outer side surface of the corresponding side wall,

the electrical connector is configured to: when the mating electrical connector is arranged at the standard fitting position, the pair of shorting tabs are shorted with each other.

2. The electrical connector of claim 1,

in each of the inspection members, the reinforcing piece and the short-circuit piece are formed as separate members.

3. The electrical connector of claim 2,

the shorting plates are formed in the same shape, and are symmetrically arranged in the width direction of the electrical connector to form a pair of the inspection members.

4. The electrical connector of claim 2 or 3,

the shorting tab includes a border portion along an outer surface of the housing,

the edge part is provided with a through hole part,

the shorting tab includes a fixing tab portion that extends from an inner peripheral edge portion of the through hole portion toward the case and is fixed to the case.

5. The electrical connector of claim 2 or 3,

the shorting tab includes a border portion along an outer surface of the housing,

the edge is provided with: a fixing piece fixed to the housing; and a short-circuit piece portion for contacting a counterpart short-circuit piece provided in the counterpart electrical connector,

the fixing piece and the shorting piece extend in the same direction from the edge.

6. The electrical connector of any one of claims 1 to 3,

the counterpart electrical connector includes: a counterpart side electrical connector housing; a counterpart-side electrical connector contact mounted to the counterpart-side electrical connector housing for contacting the contact of the electrical connector; and a counterpart short-circuiting piece attached to the counterpart electric connector housing,

when the mating electrical connector is arranged at the standard fitting position, the mating short-circuiting piece contacts the pair of short-circuiting pieces, and the pair of short-circuiting pieces short-circuit each other.

7. The electrical connector of claim 1,

the case has a pair of short-circuit holes that open a space in the case toward the pair of inspection members,

the electrical connector is configured to:

when the mating electrical connector is arranged at the standard fitting position, the inspection members come into contact with the mating shorting tab by the conductive mating shorting tab provided on the mating electrical connector passing through the corresponding shorting hole and facing the outside of the housing.

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