Connector lock mechanism

• Main Author: FUKUDA MASARU
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 11.04.2006
• Subjects: BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; CURRENT COLLECTORS; ELECTRICITY; LINE CONNECTORS

A connector lock mechanism which not only can reduce the number of parts required in male and female connectors to be engaged with each other and the number of assembling steps of the connectors but also can surely detect a partially engaged condition between the male and female connectors. In a connector lock mechanism ( 31 ), there is included a connector removing mechanism ( 48 ) which is composed of a flexible elastic piece ( 35 ) formed integrally with one connector or male connector ( 32 ), and a push-out guide surface ( 41 ) formed integrally with the other connector or female connector ( 33 ) and capable of deforming the flexible elastic piece ( 35 ) elastically to thereby generate a push-out force pushing back the two connectors in their mutually removing directions. And, the elasticity of the flexible elastic piece ( 35 ) and the inclination angle of the push-out guide surface ( 41 ) are set such that the push-out force to be generated by the connector removing mechanism ( 48 ) is larger than mutual contact resistance caused by and between male- and female-type terminals respectively stored within their associated connectors.