Connectors

Abstract

The present invention prevents water droplets attached to a connector due to condensation from entering the interior of a target connector. A connector (1) includes a housing (10) that can be engaged with an engaged portion (32) of a target housing (30) of a target connector (2). The housing (10) includes a base (12) and an engaging portion (13) that is integrally formed with the base (12) and engages with the engaged portion (32) of the target housing (30). The engaging portion (13) includes a wall (18) that extends in a direction intersecting with the engaging direction of the target housing (30) and faces the base (12). When the engaging portion (13) is engaged with the engaged portion (32), the wall (18) blocks an opening (38) of the engaged portion (32).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector that is connected by fitting with a mating connector. Background Art

[0002] Some connectors are designed to be matable with a mating connector. When mated, the connector terminals connect to the mating terminals of the mating connector. The connector is attached to a cable, and the mating connector is attached to a substrate. The connector terminals are formed at the ends of the cable and housed within the connector housing. The mating terminals of the mating connector are housed within the mating housing of the mating connector and connected to circuitry provided on the substrate.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 below describes a flat conductor connector comprising a substrate-side connector and a relay connector. The substrate-side connector comprises a fixed housing having a housing chamber for accommodating the relay housing. The relay connector comprises: a relay housing having a connection chamber for accommodating the flat conductor; and a locking member for pressing the flat conductor disposed in the relay housing against the inner wall of the connection chamber in the thickness direction, thereby eliminating any gap between the flat conductor and the connection chamber and retaining the flat conductor.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-133892

[0005] When the cable to which the connector is attached is composed of flat conductors such as FPCs and FFCs, as described above, the connector is elongated in the width direction to accommodate the wide flat conductors. Furthermore, to ensure reliable mating and connection with the mating connector, the mating portion of the connector is elongated in the mating direction. Therefore, the mating portion of the connector is formed to have a wide upper surface. Furthermore, if the connector is formed to fit tightly with the mating connector, assembly and disassembly becomes difficult. Therefore, the mating portion is formed with an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the mating connector.

[0006] However, if condensation forms on the connector, water droplets can adhere to the top surface. Because there is a gap between the top surface of the connector and the inner wall of the mating connector, water droplets adhering to the top surface can enter the interior of the mating connector due to capillary action and other factors. If water droplets reach the connection between the connector terminals and the mating terminals of the mating connector, they can cause problems such as short circuits in the electronic circuits and poor connections.

[0007] In the flat conductor connector of Patent Document 1, although the gap between the flat conductor and the connection chamber can be suppressed inside the relay connector, the gap between the substrate-side connector and the relay connector cannot be suppressed, and thus the intrusion of water droplets into the substrate-side connector cannot be suppressed. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector capable of suppressing the intrusion of water droplets deposited due to condensation into the interior of a mating connector.

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the connector of the present invention is a connector having a shell that can be engaged with the engaged portion of the object shell of the object connector, characterized in that the above-mentioned shell has: a base; and an engaging portion, which is formed as a whole with the above-mentioned base and engaged with the above-mentioned engaged portion, and the above-mentioned engaging portion has a wall portion, and the above-mentioned wall portion is formed to extend in a direction intersecting with the engaging direction of engaging with the above-mentioned object shell and facing the above-mentioned base, and blocks the opening of the above-mentioned engaged portion when the above-mentioned engaging portion is engaged with the above-mentioned engaged portion.

[0010] Furthermore, in the connector of the present invention, the wall portion may form a groove on the outer surface of the housing, and the groove may extend from the upper surface of the housing to the side surface and further penetrate downward.

[0011] Furthermore, the connector of the present invention may also be configured such that: the outer surface of the housing includes a locking piece for locking the housing to the mating housing; one end of the locking piece is connected to the outer surface of the housing; the other end of the locking piece is separated from the outer surface of the housing; the wall portion is provided on the outer surface of the housing except for the area where the locking piece is located; and the housing includes a first inclined surface in the area where the other end of the locking piece is located, which tilts downward in the direction of removal from the housing. Furthermore, the locking piece may also include a second inclined surface on its upper surface, which tilts toward the first inclined surface; and a third inclined surface on its upper surface, which tilts downward in the direction of removal from the housing.

[0012] Furthermore, in the connector of the present invention, the base portion may have a fourth inclined surface on its upper surface that inclines downward in the direction of removal from the housing. Furthermore, in the connector of the present invention, the wall portion may have a fifth inclined surface on its upper edge on the removal direction side that inclines downward in the direction of removal from the housing.

[0013] Furthermore, the connector of the present invention may also be configured as follows: the connector further includes a bracket for positioning the cable and mounted on the housing; the first inclined surface has a cutout at the end on the side of the removal direction; and the bracket, when mounted on the housing, has a sixth inclined surface at a position corresponding to the cutout and on the upper surface that tilts downward in the removal direction toward the housing.

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress water droplets adhering to a connector due to condensation from entering the interior of a mating connector. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing a state where the connector according to the embodiment of the present invention and a mating connector are fitted together.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing a state where the connector according to the embodiment of the present invention is removed from a mating connector.

[0017] Figure 3 It is a plan view showing a state where the connector according to the embodiment of the present invention is fitted with a mating connector.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a plan view showing a state where the connector according to the embodiment of the present invention is removed from a mating connector.

[0019] Figure 5 It is from Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the connector and the target connector viewed in the direction of arrow VV.

[0020] Figure 6 It is from Figure 3 Cross-sectional view of the connector and the target connector viewed in the direction of arrow VI-VI.

[0021] Figure 7 It is from Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the connector and the target connector viewed in the direction of arrows VII-VII.

[0022] Figure 8 This is a perspective view showing the connector according to the embodiment of the present invention from the front and above.

[0023] Figure 9 It is an exploded perspective view showing a connector, a cable, and a bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 10 It is a side view showing a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 11 This is a front view showing a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 12 This is a perspective view showing, from the rear bottom, a mating connector with which the connector according to the embodiment of the present invention is fitted.

[0027] Figure 13 This is a rear view showing a mating connector with which the connector according to the embodiment of the present invention is fitted.

[0028] Figure 14 This is a front view showing a mating connector with which the connector according to the embodiment of the present invention is fitted.

[0029] Figure 15 It is an exploded perspective view showing a connector, a cable, and a bracket according to a modification of the embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 16 It is a plan view showing a connector, a cable, and a bracket according to a modification of the embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 17 It is from Figure 16 Cross-sectional view of the connector, cable, and bracket viewed in the direction of arrow XVII-XVII.

[0032] Figure 18 This is a perspective view showing a connector, a cable, and a bracket according to a modified example of the embodiment of the present invention from the rear.

[0033] Description of Reference Numerals

[0034] 1. 60…connector; 2…mating connector; 3…cable; 5. 63…bracket; 10…housing; 16…locking piece; 18…wall portion; 23. 61…first inclined surface; 24…second inclined surface; 25…third inclined surface; 27…fourth inclined surface; 28…fifth inclined surface; 30…mating housing; 32…engaged portion; 64…sixth inclined surface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The connector 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described using the accompanying drawings. In addition, regarding the embodiment of the present invention, when describing the directions of up (U), down (D), front (F), back (B), left (L) or right (R), for the sake of convenience, the directions are as follows: Figures 1 to 13 The arrows depicted in .

[0036] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A connector 1 is shown as an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the state where the connector 1 and the counterpart connector 2 are fitted and connected. Figure 2 This is a perspective view of a state in which the connector 1 is pulled out from the mating connector 2 and is disconnected. Figure 3 This is a top view of the state where the connector 1 and the mating connector 2 are fitted and connected. Figure 4 This is a plan view of a state in which the connector 1 is pulled out from the mating connector 2 and is disconnected. Figure 5 yes Figure 3 VV cross-sectional view, Figure 6 yes Figure 3 VI-VI sectional view, Figure 7 yes Figure 3 VII-VII sectional view.

[0037] The connector 1 and the counterpart connector 2 are used in, for example, electrical equipment such as battery packs mounted on fuel cell vehicles and electric vehicles. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the connector 1 is mounted on the end of the cable 3 , and the counterpart connector 2 is mounted on the substrate 4 .

[0038] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the connector 1 has a plurality of terminals 11, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 、 Figure 13 and Figure 14 As shown, the counterpart connector 2 includes a plurality of counterpart terminals 31 corresponding to the plurality of terminals 11. When the connector 1 is fitted into the counterpart connector 2, the terminals 11 and the counterpart terminals 31 come into contact with each other and are electrically connected.

[0039] The cable 3 is composed of a flexible flat conductor such as FPC or FFC, thereby improving the space efficiency during wiring. Figure 9 As shown, the cable 3 has a plurality of conductors. Contact portions 3 a are provided at the ends of the conductors. When the connector 1 is mounted on the cable 3 , the contact portions 3 a of the cable 3 function as the terminals 11 of the connector 1 .

[0040] The substrate 4 has a plane extending in the front-back direction and the left-right direction, and the target connector 2 is mounted on this plane. For example, the target connector 2 is mounted on the edge of the substrate 4 in such a way that the opening 38 of the mating portion 32 of the target connector 2 that is mated with the connector 1 is arranged at a position further outward than the substrate 4. Each target terminal 31 of the target connector 2 is electrically connected to the substrate 4. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the connector 1 is inserted or removed relative to the target connector 2 with the front-to-back direction as the insertion and removal direction, that is, the front side direction becomes the insertion direction and fitting direction of the connector 1 (refer to Figure 2 、 Figure 4 The rear direction becomes the direction in which the connector 1 is pulled out.

[0041] When the terminals 11 of the connector 1 are electrically connected to the counterpart terminals 31 of the counterpart connector 2 , the connector 1 and the counterpart connector 2 are connected, and the cable 3 and the substrate 4 are connected.

[0042] Apart from Figures 1 to 7 In addition, refer to Figures 8 to 11 The connector 1 will be described. Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the connector 1 viewed from the front and above. Figure 9 It is an exploded perspective view of the connector 1 , the cable 3 , and the bracket 5 . Figure 10 This is a side view of the connector 1 as viewed from the right side. Figure 11This is a front view of connector 1.

[0043] like Figures 1 to 11 As shown, the connector 1 includes a housing 10 that forms an outer shape, and as shown in FIG. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown in FIG, it has the above-mentioned multiple terminals 11. Figure 2 、 Figure 4 、 Figures 8 to 10 As shown, the housing 10 has a base 12 and a fitting portion 13 and is integrally formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. Figure 1 、 Figure 2 As shown, the housing 10 has an inserted portion 14 into which the front end of the cable 3 can be inserted. Figure 11 As shown, there are a plurality of terminal holes 15 into which a plurality of object terminals 31 of the object connector 2 can be inserted. Figure 2 、 Figure 4 、 Figure 8 As shown, a locking piece 16 for locking the connector 1 and the mating connector 2 and a guide protrusion 17 for one-to-one correspondence between the connector 1 and the mating connector 2 are formed on the upper surface of the housing 10 .

[0044] In order to position the connector 1 relative to the cable 3, as shown Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 5 、 Figure 6 As shown in FIG, a bracket 5 is installed at the front end of the cable 3 with a predetermined distance from the end of the cable 3. Figure 9 As shown, the bracket 5 is formed to be accommodated inside the inserted portion 14 and locked therein, and is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the inserted portion 14. Furthermore, the bracket 5 is formed to be fixed around the front end of the cable 3, and is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the cable 3. The cable 3 is inserted into the inserted portion 14 together with the bracket 5. At this time, the bracket 5 is locked with the inserted portion 14, thereby attaching the connector 1 to the cable 3.

[0045] The base 12 is the portion that the user holds when inserting or removing the connector 1 from the object connector 2, and the fitting portion 13 is the portion that fits with the object connector 2 together with the locking piece 16 and the guide protrusion 17. The base 12 is formed in a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the left-right direction. In addition, it can be formed with a shape that is larger than the object housing 30 of the object connector 2 to make it easier to hold. The fitting portion 13 is a flat, generally rectangular parallelepiped shape that is smaller in the left-right direction and the up-down direction than the base 12, and is formed continuously with the front surface of the base 12. In addition, the fitting portion 13 is formed in a shape that can fit with the fitting portion 32 provided in the object housing 30 of the object connector 2, and fits with the fitting portion 32 with the front as the fitting direction.

[0046] On the upper surface and left and right side surfaces of the fitting portion 13, a wall portion 18 is formed at a predetermined interval between the rear end of the fitting portion 13 and the front surface of the base 12. The wall portion 18 extends in a direction intersecting (orthogonal) with the fitting direction of the connector 1, that is, in the upper direction, and is arranged to be opposite to the front surface of the base 12. Thus, a groove 26 is formed between the wall portion 18 and the front surface of the base 12. The groove 26 formed on the outer surface of the housing 10 by the wall portion 18 is connected from the upper surface of the fitting portion 13 to the left and right side surfaces, and is passed downward. In addition, a hole or the like may be provided on the front surface of the base 12 to serve as a structure for securing the bracket 5 of the cable 3.

[0047] The wall portion 18 is configured to enter the interior of the fitted portion 32 and face the outside, that is, the rear side, of the target housing 30 when the fitting portion 13 is fitted into the fitted portion 32. Figure 7 As shown, the opening 38 of the fitted portion 32 is blocked. Furthermore, the groove 26 between the wall portion 18 and the front surface of the base portion 12 is positioned outside the mating housing 30 and outside the substrate 4 when the fitting portion 13 is fitted into the fitted portion 32, that is, not within the opening 38 of the fitted portion 32. Furthermore, the wall portion 18 is formed integrally with the guide protrusion 17, thereby enhancing strength.

[0048] In addition, in this embodiment, an example is described in which the wall portion 18 is vertically erected upward from the upper surface of the fitting portion 13, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the wall portion 18 may be formed so as to tilt downward toward the rear, that is, in the direction of extraction, and its inclined surface may be formed by a straight cross-section when viewed from the left or right side, or by a circular arc-shaped cross-section that bends downward. In addition, in this embodiment, an example is described in which the groove 26 is formed at the same height in the vertical direction throughout the left and right directions, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the groove 26 may be formed so as to tilt downward toward both sides of the left and right directions, and its inclined surface may be formed by a straight cross-section when viewed from the front or rear side, or by a circular arc-shaped cross-section that bends downward.

[0049] The guide protrusion 17 is arranged in pair with the guide recess 33 of the object connector 2 to guide the mating of the connector 1 and the object connector 2 and prevent incorrect mating. More than one guide protrusion 17 can be provided. The guide protrusion 17 protrudes upward and extends from the front end of the upper surface of the mating portion 13 toward the rear to the wall portion 18. The guide protrusion 17 is not only provided on the upper surface of the mating portion 13, but can also be provided on the left and right side surfaces of the mating portion 13. When the mating portion 13 is mated with the mated portion 32, the guide protrusion 17 is mated in the guide recess 33. At this time, it is sufficient to engage until the rear end of the guide recess 33 reaches the wall portion 18.

[0050] However, in this embodiment, since the locking piece 16 is provided at the left-right center of the upper surface of the fitting portion 13, the wall portions 18 are provided on the left and right sides of the locking piece 16, respectively. A connecting portion 19 is provided at the end portion on the left-right center side of each wall portion 18. The connecting portion 19 is formed integrally with the wall portion 18 and the front surface of the base 12 so as to connect the wall portion 18. Like the wall portion 18, the connecting portion 19 extends in a direction intersecting (orthogonal) with the fitting direction of the connector 1 and is erected at the same height as the wall portion 18 in the vertical direction. In addition, on the upper surface of the fitting portion 13, guide protrusions 17 are provided on both sides of the locking piece 16 in the left-right direction so as to define an area in the left-right center for providing the locking piece 16. The guide protrusions 17 are substantially continuous with the connecting portion 19 in the front-back direction.

[0051] Furthermore, a recessed portion 20 is provided in the center of the upper surface of the base portion 12 in the left-right direction due to the provision of the locking piece 16. The recessed portion 20 is formed through the base portion 12 in the front-to-back direction and has a bottom surface that is continuous with the upper surface of the fitting portion 13. The left and right side surfaces that constitute the recessed portion 20 are substantially continuous with the connecting portion 19 in the front-to-back direction.

[0052] like Figure 6 As shown, the locking piece 16 is formed in a flat shape that is long in the front-to-back direction. The front end of the locking piece 16 is connected to the front end of the upper surface of the fitting portion 13, and the portion of the locking piece 16 other than the front end is separated from the upper surface of the fitting portion 13 and the bottom surface of the recess 20. Therefore, the locking piece 16 can deform in the vertical direction with the front end as a fulcrum. In addition, limiting pieces 21 are provided at the upper ends of the left and right side surfaces of the recess 20 to limit the upward deformation of the locking piece 16. This can suppress excessive deformation of the locking piece 16 and prevent damage to the locking piece 16. When the fitting portion 13 is fitted into the fitted portion 32, the locking piece 16 is locked with the locking portion 34 of the mating housing 30 of the mating connector 2. For example, the locking piece 16 has a locking claw 22 that engages with the locking hole 35 of the locking portion 34.

[0053] like Figure 6 、 Figure 9As shown, a first inclined surface 23 is formed in the left-right direction in the area where the locking portion 34 is located, at the connection point of the locking piece 16, i.e., behind the front end of the fitting portion 13, between the upper surface of the fitting portion 13 and the bottom surface of the recess 20. The surface slopes downward toward the rear, i.e., in the direction of removal, and is formed in the left-right direction within the area where the locking portion 34 is located. The first inclined surface 23 is located in the center of the left-right region defined by the guide protrusion 17, the connecting portion 19, and the recess 20, and extends to the rear end of the base 12. The first inclined surface 23 is configured to have a width greater than that of the locking piece 16 in the left-right direction. In other words, the locking piece 16 is formed to have a width narrower than that of the first inclined surface 23 in the left-right direction. The first inclined surface 23 can be formed with a step below the front end of the fitting portion 13. Furthermore, the first inclined surface 23 can have a straight cross-section or a downwardly curved arc-shaped cross-section when viewed from the left or right side.

[0054] like Figure 4 、 Figure 8 、 Figure 9 、 Figure 11 As shown, the upper surface of the locking piece 16 has a second inclined surface 24 that is inclined downward from the center in the left-right direction toward both sides in the left-right direction. That is, the second inclined surface 24 is inclined toward the first inclined surface 23. In addition, in addition to the left-right direction, the second inclined surface 24 can also be inclined downward toward the rear, that is, the pulling direction. When viewed from the front or rear side, the second inclined surface 24 can be formed in a straight cross-section or in a circular arc-shaped cross-section that bends downward. In addition, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown, the upper surface of the locking piece 16 has a third inclined surface 25 at a position rearward of the locking claw 22, which slopes downward as it moves toward the rear, i.e., in the direction of extraction. The third inclined surface 25 extends to the rear end of the base 12. The third inclined surface 25 may also be formed on the bottom surface of a recessed portion provided on the upper surface of the locking piece 16. When viewed from the left or right side, the third inclined surface 25 may be formed in a straight cross-section or in a downwardly curved arc-shaped cross-section.

[0055] The upper surface of the base 12 also has a fourth inclined surface 27 that slopes downward toward the rear, i.e., the direction of extraction. Alternatively, the upper surface of the base 12 may be provided on both left and right sides of the recess 20, with the fourth inclined surface 27 on each of the left and right upper surfaces sloping downward from the left-right center toward the left and right sides, respectively. Furthermore, the fourth inclined surface 27 may have a straight cross-section or a downwardly curved arc-shaped cross-section when viewed from the left or right side.

[0056] Furthermore, the wall portion 18 faces the base portion 12 on the rear side and has a fifth inclined surface 28 on the rear upper edge portion (the upper edge portion on the removal direction side) that tilts downward as it moves toward the rear, that is, in the removal direction. Furthermore, the fifth inclined surface 28 can be formed so as to tilt from the rear end of the mating housing 30 when the connector 1 and the mating connector 2 are mated and connected, or can be formed so as to tilt from a position further forward than the rear end of the mating housing 30, or can be formed so as to tilt from a position further backward than the rear end of the mating housing 30.

[0057] In addition, the first inclined surface 23, the third inclined surface 25 or the fourth inclined surface 27 can be formed with the same gradient at the rear end of the base 12, or with a gradient that becomes steeper as it approaches the front side, or can be formed with a steep gradient up to a position closer to the front side than the rear end of the base 12 and then formed with a slow gradient from there.

[0058] like Figure 1 、 Figure 2 As shown, the inserted portion 14 is formed long in the left-right direction, penetrates the base 12 from the rear surface of the base 12 and is recessed to the front end of the fitting portion 13. That is, the front side direction becomes the insertion direction of the cable 3 relative to the connector 1. Figure 5 、 Figure 6 As shown, the inserted portion 14 is formed to accommodate the cable 3, and the rear portion of the inserted portion 14 is formed to accommodate the bracket 5 attached to the cable 3. The base 12 and the bracket 5 are configured so that the bracket 5 is locked to the base 12.

[0059] The plurality of terminals 11 are constituted by respective contact portions 3a of the plurality of conductors of the cable 3, for example, Figure 9 As shown, the plurality of contact portions 3a of the cable 3 are arranged at intervals along the left-right direction on the upper surface of the flat cable 3. The plurality of contact portions 3a of the cable 3 can be arranged in multiple rows in the upper and lower directions, or can be arranged on the lower surface in addition to the upper surface of the flat cable 3. Figure 8 、 Figure 10 As shown, a plurality of terminal holes 15 are formed on the front surface of the fitting portion 13 at positions corresponding to the plurality of terminals 11 , respectively, and communicate with the inserted portion 14 .

[0060] The plurality of terminals 11 are accessible from the outside through the plurality of terminal holes 15. When the mating portion 13 of the connector 1 is mated to the mated portion 32 of the mating connector 2, the plurality of mating terminals 31 of the mating connector 2 are respectively inserted into the plurality of terminal holes 15 and, within the interior of the connector 1, come into contact with the plurality of terminals 11 at the ends of the cables 3 inserted into the inserted portion 14. Furthermore, each terminal hole 15 may have a rib or the like formed along the rear side to guide the insertion of the terminals 11 and the cable 3.

[0061] Apart from Figures 1 to 7 In addition, refer to Figures 12 to 14 The target connector 2 will be described. Figure 12 This is a perspective view of the target connector 2 as viewed from the rear bottom. Figure 13 This is the rear view of the object connector 2. Figure 14 3 is a front view of the counterpart connector 2. The counterpart connector 2 includes a counterpart housing 30 and the aforementioned plurality of counterpart terminals 31.

[0062] like Figure 12 As shown, the mating housing 30 is formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and has an engaged portion 32 that can engage with the engaging portion 13 of the connector 1. The engaged portion 32 has an opening 38 on the rear surface of the mating housing 30 for inserting or removing the engaging portion 13, and is recessed from the rear surface of the mating housing 30 to the front end of the mating housing 30.

[0063] Guide recesses 33 are formed on the inner top and inner side surfaces of the mating housing 30, which constitute the mated portion 32, so that the guide protrusions 17 can be engaged with the guide protrusions 17. One or more guide recesses 33 may be provided, corresponding to the guide protrusions 17. A locking portion 34 is provided on the upper portion of the mating housing 30 to engage with the locking tab 16 of the housing 10 of the connector 1. The locking portion 34 includes, for example, a locking hole 35 for engaging the locking claw 22 of the locking tab 16.

[0064] like Figure 12 、 Figure 13 As shown, a plurality of target terminals 31 are provided on the front surface of the target housing 30 at positions corresponding to the plurality of terminal holes 15 in the left-right direction and the up-down direction, that is, at positions corresponding to the plurality of terminals 11. Figure 13 、 Figure 14 As shown, each counterpart terminal 31 is composed of a protrusion 36 protruding rearward from the front surface of the counterpart housing 30 and a connection portion 37 exposed forward from the front surface of the counterpart housing 30 and electrically connected to the circuit of the substrate 4 by soldering or the like.

[0065] As described above, according to the connector 1 of this embodiment, the housing 10 includes the base 12 and the fitting portion 13 formed integrally with the base 12 and fitted with the fitted portion 32 of the mating housing 30. The fitting portion 13 includes the wall portion 18 extending in a direction intersecting the fitting direction with the mating housing 30 and formed facing the base 12. The wall portion 18 closes the opening 38 of the fitted portion 32 when the fitting portion 13 is fitted into the fitted portion 32.

[0066] Thus, when connector 1 and mating connector 2 are mated and connected, even if condensation forms on connectors 1 and 2 and water droplets adhere to their upper surfaces, the water droplets tend to flow outward from wall portion 18. This prevents water droplets from flowing into the gap between the upper surface of connector 1 and the inner wall of mating connector 2 due to capillary action, thereby preventing water droplets from entering the interior of mating connector 2. Consequently, water droplets are prevented from reaching the connection between terminals 11 of connector 1 and mating terminals 31 of mating connector 2 within mating connector 2, thereby preventing problems such as short circuits and poor connections in the electronic circuit.

[0067] Furthermore, in the connector 1 according to this embodiment, the wall portion 18 forms a groove 26 on the outer surface of the housing 10. This groove 26 extends from the upper surface of the housing 10 to the side and then extends downward. Consequently, water droplets flowing toward the outside of the wall portion 18 are not accumulated there but are instead discharged to the exterior of the connector 1 through the groove 26 formed by the wall portion 18. This further reduces the risk of water droplets intruding into the interior of the mating connector 2, thereby further reducing the risk of water droplets reaching the connection between the terminal 11 and the mating terminal 31, thereby further reducing the risk of causing problems such as short circuits and poor connections in the electronic circuit.

[0068] In addition, the connector 1 according to this embodiment includes a locking piece 16 on the outer surface of the housing 10 for locking the housing 10 to the mating housing 30. One end (front end) of the locking piece 16 is connected to the outer surface (upper surface) of the housing 10, and the other end (rear end) of the locking piece 16 is separated from the outer surface (upper surface) of the housing 10. A wall portion 18 is provided on the outer surface of the housing 10 in a portion other than the area where the locking piece 16 is located. The housing 10 has a first inclined surface 23 in the area where the other end of the locking piece 16 is located, which is inclined downward as the connector 1 is removed.

[0069] Thus, in the structure for locking the connector 1 and the target connector 2, by providing the first inclined surface 23 in an area where the wall portion 18 cannot be provided, water droplets adhering to the upper surfaces of the connector 1 and the target connector 2 can be discharged to the rear of the connector 1 via the first inclined surface 23. In addition, since the locking piece 16 is provided to be separated from the first inclined surface 23, the discharge of water droplets is not blocked by the locking piece 16. In addition, since the first inclined surface 23 is formed to pass through the base 12 and extend to the rear end of the base 12, the discharge of water droplets is not blocked by the base 12. In addition, the cable 3 extends to the rear of the connector 1, but the bracket 5 can suppress water droplets on the cable 3 from flowing toward the connector 1. In addition, if the flexible cable 3 is arranged to be bent downward, water droplets will not flow toward the connector 1.

[0070] Furthermore, according to the connector 1 of this embodiment, the locking piece 16 has a second inclined surface 24 on its upper surface that is inclined toward the first inclined surface 23. Thus, water droplets adhering to the locking piece 16 can be discharged toward the first inclined surface 23 via the second inclined surface 24, and further discharged toward the rear of the connector 1 via the first inclined surface 23.

[0071] Furthermore, according to the connector 1 of this embodiment, the locking piece 16 has a third inclined surface 25 on its upper surface that inclines downward in the direction of removal of the connector 1. This allows water droplets adhering to the locking piece 16 to be discharged to the rear of the connector 1 via the third inclined surface 25.

[0072] In the above embodiment, the example in which the first inclined surface 23 extends to the rear end of the base 12 in the front-rear direction is described, but the present invention is not limited to this example. Figures 15 to 18 As shown, in a connector 60 that is identical to the connector 1 of the above-described embodiment, a first inclined surface 61 that is identical to the first inclined surface 23 of the above-described embodiment is formed on the upper surface of the fitting portion 13 of the housing 10 and the bottom surface of the recess 20. Furthermore, description of the same structures of the connector 60 as those of the connector 1 of the above-described embodiment will be omitted, and in particular, description of the same structures of the first inclined surface 61 as those of the first inclined surface 23 of the above-described embodiment will be omitted.

[0073] Figure 15 It is an exploded perspective view of a connector 60 and a bracket 63 according to a modification. Figure 16 is a top view of a connector 60 and a bracket 63 according to a modification example. Figure 17 yes Figure 16 Sectional view XVII-XVII. Figure 18 This is a perspective view of a connector 60 and a bracket 63 according to a modification example as viewed from the rear.

[0074] like Figure 16 、 Figure 17 as well as Figure 18 As shown, the first inclined surface 61 is formed to extend midway along the recess 20 of the base 12 in the front-to-back direction, preferably to a position corresponding to the rear end of the retaining piece 21. In other words, a notch 62 is formed on the bottom surface of the recess 20, behind the first inclined surface 61, which is trapezoidal in shape when viewed from above. This allows the locking piece 16 to deform downward more significantly through the notch 62 than would be possible without the notch 62, thereby facilitating removal of the connector 60.

[0075] Furthermore, by forming the first inclined surface 61 to a position corresponding to the rear end of the restriction piece 21 in the front-to-back direction, the restriction piece 21 can restrict the upward deformation of the locking piece 16, and the first inclined surface 61 can restrict the downward deformation of the locking piece 16. Therefore, excessive deformation of the locking piece 16 can be suppressed, thereby preventing damage to the locking piece 16.

[0076] In addition, in the above-mentioned modified example, an example is described in which the first inclined surface 61 is formed to a position corresponding to the rear end of the limiting piece 21, but the present invention is not limited to this example. The first inclined surface 61 can also be formed to the front end of the base 12, that is, the rear end of the interlocking portion 13.

[0077] And, in such other embodiments, as Figures 15 to 18 As shown in FIG. 1 , a bracket 63 similar to the bracket 5 of the above embodiment is configured to hold the cable 3. In addition, description of the bracket 63 similar to the bracket 5 of the above embodiment will be omitted.

[0078] The bracket 63 has a sixth inclined surface 64 on its upper surface that is inclined downward as it moves toward the rear, that is, in the direction of extraction. The sixth inclined surface 64 is formed on the rear portion of the upper surface of the bracket 63, and is preferably formed at a position corresponding to the cutout 62 provided on the bottom surface of the recess 20 of the base 12 when the bracket 63 is inserted into the inserted portion 14 of the housing 10. The sixth inclined surface 64 is formed from a position forward of the rear end of the first inclined surface 61 to the rear in at least the front-to-back direction. In addition, when viewed from the left or right side, the sixth inclined surface 64 can be formed in a straight cross-section or in a circular arc-shaped cross-section that curves downward.

[0079] Thus, in connector 60, even when first inclined surface 61 provided on housing 10 does not reach the rear end of housing 10, sixth inclined surface 64 is provided on the upper surface of bracket 63. Therefore, water droplets flowing rearward from first inclined surface 61 can flow toward cable 3 via sixth inclined surface 64. Consequently, water droplets can be prevented from reaching the connection between terminal 11 of connector 60 and mating terminal 31 of mating connector 2 within mating connector 2, thereby preventing problems such as short circuits and poor connections in the electronic circuit.

[0080] In addition, in this embodiment, an example is described in which the connector 1 or 60 installed on the cable 3 has the fitting portion 13, the object connector 2 installed on the substrate 4 has the fitted portion 32, and the connector 1 or 60 is fitted into the opening 38 of the object connector 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and can also be constructed as follows: the connector 1 or 60 has the fitted portion, and the object connector 2 has the fitting portion.

[0081] In this embodiment, the first inclined surface 23 or 61 of the housing 10 and the third inclined surface 25 of the locking piece 16 are described as being inclined downward as they move toward the rear, i.e., in the direction of removal. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the first inclined surface 23 or 61 and the third inclined surface 25 only need to be inclined toward the outside of the housing 10. If they are provided on the left or right edges of the housing 10, they may also be inclined to the left or right.

[0082] In this embodiment, the locking piece 16 is provided at the left-right center of the upper surface of the housing 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the locking piece 16 may be provided at a location other than the upper surface of the housing 10. In this case, the wall portion 18 may be provided so as to extend horizontally across the upper surface of the fitting portion 13 of the housing 10. Furthermore, the locking piece 16 may be provided at a location other than the left-right center of the upper surface of the housing 10. In this case, the wall portion 18 may be provided at a location that avoids the locking piece 16 in the left-right direction.

[0083] In the present embodiment, the example in which the cable 3 is a flat conductor such as an FPC or FFC has been described. However, in the present invention, the cable 3 is not limited to a flat conductor and may be composed of other conductors.

[0084] In addition, in this embodiment, an example is described in which the substrate 4 is composed of a plane extending in the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction, and the object connector 2 is installed on this plane. However, in the present invention, the structure of the substrate 4 and the installation position of the object connector 2 are not limited to this example.

[0085] The present invention can be modified appropriately within the scope of the claims and the entire specification without departing from the gist or concept of the invention, and connectors accompanying such modifications are also included in the technical concept of the present invention.

Claims

1. A connector having a housing that can be fitted with a fitting portion of a mating housing of a mating connector, characterized in that: The housing comprises: base; and The engaging portion is formed as a whole with the base portion and engages with the engaged portion. The fitting portion includes a wall portion, the wall portion being formed to extend in a direction intersecting with a fitting direction to the mating housing and facing the base portion, and blocking an opening of the fitted portion when the fitting portion is fitted to the fitted portion. The outer surface of the housing is provided with a locking piece for locking the housing to the counterpart housing. One end of the locking piece is connected to the outer surface of the shell, and the other end of the locking piece is separated from the outer surface of the shell. The wall portion is provided on the outer surface of the housing except for the area where the locking piece is arranged. The housing has a first inclined surface in an arrangement region on the other end side of the locking piece, the first inclined surface being inclined downward in a direction in which the housing is pulled out.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The wall portion forms a groove on the outer surface of the housing. The groove communicates from the upper surface of the housing to the side surface and then penetrates downward.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The locking piece has a second inclined surface on an upper surface thereof, the second inclined surface being inclined toward the first inclined surface.

4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The locking piece has a third inclined surface on an upper surface thereof, the third inclined surface being inclined downward in a direction in which the housing is pulled out.

5. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The base portion has a fourth inclined surface on an upper surface thereof, the fourth inclined surface being inclined downward in a direction in which the housing is pulled out.

6. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The wall portion has a fifth inclined surface at an upper edge portion on the extraction direction side, the fifth inclined surface being inclined downward in the extraction direction of the housing.

7. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: It also has a bracket for positioning the cable and installing it on the housing. The first inclined surface has a notch at the end portion on the extraction direction side. The bracket has a sixth inclined surface on its upper surface at a position corresponding to the cutout when the bracket is attached to the housing, the sixth inclined surface being inclined downward in a direction in which the bracket is removed from the housing.

8. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The invention further includes a connecting portion integrally formed so as to connect the wall portion and the front surface of the base portion.

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