Connector

Abstract

Provided is a connector capable of reducing the amount of molded resin of a fitting cylinder part. A connector (10) is provided with a first housing (11) and a second housing (12). The first housing (11) has a lock section (33) protruding from the outer surface of the first housing (11). The second housing (12) has a fitting cylinder section (44) and a lock arm (46), the first housing (11) is fitted to the inside of the fitting cylinder section (44), and the lock arm (46) is disposed on the outside of the fitting cylinder section (44) and is locked to the lock section (33) in a state in which the lock arm (46) is fitted to the first housing (11). The fitting cylinder section (44) has a cutout section (73) that opens on the front side in the direction in which the fitting cylinder section (44) is fitted to the first housing (11). A part of the locking part (33) is arranged on the inner side of the notch part (73).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector. Background Art

[0002] The connector described in Patent Document 1 includes a housing and a mating housing that can be mated with each other. The housing includes a housing body and a mating cylinder surrounding the outer periphery of the housing body. The mating housing includes a cylindrical cover that is mated between the body and the mating cylinder.

[0003] The fitting cylinder has a locking arm inside the opening formed in the fitting cylinder. The other housing has a locking protrusion protruding from the outer surface of the cover. The locking protrusion is locked to the locking arm, so that the housing and the other housing are kept in a fitting state. Prior art literature Patent Literature

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-125545 Summary of the invention Problems to be solved by the invention

[0005] In the case of Patent Document 1, since the fitting cylinder has a locking arm, the fitting cylinder needs to maintain the strength of the locking arm and the locking projection, so the thickness of the fitting cylinder tends to increase. As a result, there is a problem that the amount of resin used to mold the fitting cylinder increases.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector capable of reducing the amount of molding resin of a fitting cylindrical portion. Solutions to Solve Problems

[0007] The present invention is a connector, comprising a first shell and a second shell, wherein the first shell has a locking portion protruding from the outer surface of the first shell, and the second shell has a fitting cylinder and a locking arm, the first shell is fitted with the inner side of the fitting cylinder, the locking arm is arranged on the outer side of the fitting cylinder and is locked to the locking portion in the fitted state with the first shell, the fitting cylinder has a cutout portion opening on the front side of the fitting direction with the first shell, and a part of the locking portion is arranged on the inner side of the cutout portion. Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector capable of reducing the amount of molding resin of the fitting cylindrical portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 It is an exploded perspective view of a first housing and a second housing in the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2It is a side sectional view of the first shell and the second shell in a mutually engaged state. Figure 3 This is a front view of the first housing and the second housing in a mutually engaged state, with the first housing side cut away. Figure 4 This is an enlarged front view of the concave portion and the convex portion in a mutually engaged state, with the convex portion side cut away. Figure 5 It is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of the concave portion and the convex portion in a mutually engaged state. Figure 6 It is an enlarged front view of the lock portion side cut away, showing the lock portion and the lock arm in which a part of the lock portion is arranged inside the cutout portion and are locked with each other. Figure 7 This is the front view of the first shell. Figure 8 It is a three-dimensional view of the first shell. Fig. 9 It is an enlarged side view of a portion of the first housing corresponding to the locking portion. Fig.10 This is the front view of the second shell. Fig.11 It is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the second housing corresponding to the lock arm and the cutout portion. Fig.12 It is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the second housing corresponding to the recessed portion. Fig.13 It is a front view of the front retainer. Fig.14 is a side view of the front retainer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] [Description of Embodiments of the Invention] First, embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of examples. The connector of the present invention, (1) A method of manufacturing a housing having a first shell and a second shell, wherein the first shell has a locking portion protruding from an outer surface of the first shell, and the second shell has a fitting cylinder and a locking arm, wherein the first shell is fitted with an inner side of the fitting cylinder, the locking arm is arranged on the outer side of the fitting cylinder and is locked to the locking portion in a fitting state with the first shell, the fitting cylinder has a cutout portion opening on the front side in a fitting direction with the first shell, and a part of the locking portion is arranged on the inner side of the cutout portion. According to the above structure, since the fitting cylinder does not have a locking arm, the locking arm is arranged outside the fitting cylinder so as to be locked with the locking portion, so the thickness of the fitting cylinder does not increase, and the amount of molding resin of the fitting protrusion can be reduced. In particular, even if the locking arm is arranged outside the fitting cylinder, the locking arm and the locking portion can be locked by providing the fitting cylinder with a cutout portion.

[0011] (2) Preferably, the second housing has a pressing surface that is contactably opposed to a partition wall portion partitioned via the cutout portion of the fitting cylindrical portion from the outside of the fitting cylindrical portion. Since the fitting cylinder has the cutout, the partition wall divided by the cutout may open to the outside of the fitting cylinder. However, according to the above configuration, the partition wall is in contact with the pressing surface, thereby preventing the partition wall from opening.

[0012] (3) Preferably, the locking portion has a groove on the base end side in the protruding direction from the outer surface, the opposing end portions of the partition wall portion are fitted into the groove, and the pressing surface is formed on a groove surface of the groove. According to the above structure, since the pressing surface becomes a part of the locking portion, the structure of the first housing will not become complicated. In addition, since the opposite end of the dividing wall portion is engaged with the groove, the shaking between the engaging cylinder and the first housing can be suppressed, so the improvement of vibration resistance can be achieved.

[0013] (4) Preferably, the cutout portion and the groove are both shaped to extend along the mating direction. According to the above configuration, the range in which the opposing ends of the partition wall portion fit into the groove can be set longer, so that rattling between the fitting cylinder portion and the first housing can be more effectively suppressed, and vibration resistance can be further improved.

[0014] (5) Preferably, the first shell has a cylindrical cover portion that allows the locking portion to protrude from the outer surface, and the second shell has a shell body portion arranged on the inner side of the interlocking cylinder portion, and the cover portion can be interlocked between the interlocking cylinder portion and the shell body portion. According to the above configuration, since the lock arm is arranged outside the fitting cylinder, the fitting cylinder and the housing body can be formed with less restriction from the lock arm, thereby increasing the degree of freedom of shape of each of the fitting cylinder and the housing body.

[0015] (6) Preferably, the second housing includes a covering portion that covers the lock arm from the outside, and the covering portion is connected to a partition wall portion that is divided by the cutout portion of the fitting cylinder. According to the above configuration, the locking arm can be protected by the cover portion and the partition wall portion can be reinforced.

[0016] [Details of Embodiments of the Invention] Specific examples of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the examples, but is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0017] <Implementation Method 1> like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the connector 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a first housing 11 and a second housing 12 that can be fitted with each other. The second housing 12 includes a main housing 13 and a front retaining body 14 mounted on the main housing 13. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , a plurality of second terminal parts 15 are housed in the main housing 13. A plurality of first terminal parts 16 are mounted on the first housing 11. In the following description, regarding the front-to-back direction, the side of the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 facing each other at the beginning of the mating is referred to as the front side. The left-right direction is synonymous with the width direction, and the left-right direction is referred to as the width direction. Figure 3 The left and right directions of the figure are used as the reference. The up and down directions are synonymous with the height directions, and the up and down directions of each figure are used as the reference. Figure 1 In the drawings, the front-rear direction is indicated by X, the left-right direction is indicated by Y, and the up-down direction is indicated by Z. These directions are based on convenience.

[0018] In the following description, the "outer side" refers to a side away from the central axis of the connector 10 excluding the portion, and the "inner side" refers to a side of the portion close to the central axis of the connector 10. For example, with respect to the radial direction orthogonal to the mating direction of the first housing 11 and the second housing 12, the "outer side" corresponds to the radial outer side of the connector 10, and the "inner side" corresponds to the radial inner side of the connector 10.

[0019] (First housing, first terminal part) The first housing 11 is made of synthetic resin. Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the cover part 17 has a square tube shape. The cover part 17 has an inner wall 18 with the wall surface facing the front and back, a pair of side walls 19 opposite to each other on the left and right, and an upper wall 21 and a lower wall 22 opposite to each other on the top and bottom. Each of the side walls 19, the upper wall 21 and the lower wall 22 protrude forward from the inner wall 18. At the four corners of the cover part 17, the left and right ends of the upper wall 21 are connected to the upper ends of each side wall 19 in a curved shape, and the left and right ends of the lower wall 22 are connected to the lower ends of each side wall 19 in a curved shape.

[0020] Terminal mounting holes 23 are formed through the upper and lower ends of the inner wall 18. Figure 2 As shown, the first terminal parts 16 are press-fitted and mounted in each terminal mounting hole 23 .

[0021] The first terminal part 16 is a plate-shaped male terminal made of conductive metal. Figure 2 As shown, the first terminal part 16 has a terminal connection part 24 that is configured to protrude toward the inner side of the cover part 17 while penetrating the inner wall 18, and a substrate connection part 25 that is configured to be exposed at the rear side of the cover part 17. The terminal connection part 24 is connected to the second terminal part 15 when the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are properly fitted. The substrate connection part 25 is connected to the circuit substrate P by soldering.

[0022] like Figure 7 As shown, the cover portion 17 has a plurality of protrusions 26 protruding from the inner surface of each side wall 19. The cross section of each protrusion 26 is rectangular, and each protrusion 26 protrudes horizontally from the upper end and the lower end of the inner surface of each side wall 19. Each terminal mounting hole 23 of the inner wall 18 and the first terminal part 16 mounted on each terminal mounting hole 23 are arranged between the left and right protrusions 26 in the width direction and overlap with the left and right protrusions 26 in the height direction, and more specifically, are arranged at a position within the height range of the left and right protrusions 26.

[0023] The cover portion 17 has a pair of partitioning protrusions 27 that protrude horizontally from the upper and lower middle portions of the inner surface of each side wall 19. Each partitioning protrusion 27 is arranged between the upper and lower protrusions 26 in the height direction. Each partitioning protrusion 27 is in the shape of a rectangular plate and protrudes inward from the inner surface of the side wall 19 to a greater extent than each protrusion 26. Figure 8 As shown, the top ends of the partitioning protrusions 27 in the protruding direction are opposed to each other and arranged along the front-rear direction. A fitting rib 28 extending in the front-rear direction is formed on the upper surface of each partitioning protrusion 27.

[0024] In addition to the convex portions 26 and the dividing convex portions 27, a plurality of ribs 29 are formed protrudingly on the inner surface of the cover portion 17. The ribs 29 are arranged at unequal intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner surface of the cover portion 17. The convex portions 26, the dividing convex portions 27 and the ribs 29 are all in a shape extending in the front-to-back direction, with the rear end connected to the inner wall 18 of the cover portion 17 and the front end controlled and arranged at the rear side than the front end (opening end) of the cover portion 17. The front end of each dividing convex portion 27 is arranged at the front side of each convex portion 26 and each rib 29 in the portion close to the central axis of the cover portion 17.

[0025] The first housing 11 has a flange portion 31 , which is located at the rear end portion of the cover portion 17 and extends outward from the inner wall 18 over the entire circumference. The cover 17 has a pair of guide ribs 32 protruding from the left and right ends of the upper surface of the upper wall 21. Each guide rib 32 extends over the entire length of the cover 17 in the front-rear direction, and is connected to the flange 31 at the rear end.

[0026] The cover portion 17 has a locking portion 33 protruding from the left and right middle portions of the upper surface of the upper wall 21. Fig. 9 As shown, the locking portion 33 includes an extension portion 34 extending in the front-to-rear direction on the upper surface of the upper wall 21, and a locking protrusion 35 protruding upward from a position near the front end of the extension portion 34. The extension portion 34 has a thick wall portion 36 in the rear portion of the front and rear portions sandwiching the locking protrusion 35, which is thicker than the front portion and has a thickness in the up-down direction.

[0027] The rear surface of the locking protrusion 35 is formed as a stopper surface 37 vertically rising from the upper surface of the thick wall portion 36, and is stopped by a locking arm 46 described later of the second housing 12. The front surface of the locking protrusion 35 is inclined upward from the front side portion of the extension portion 34 to the top surface of the locking protrusion 35, and becomes an inclined surface 38 for guiding the bending action of the locking arm 46. The lower end of the inclined surface 38 is located at a height amount closer to the lower thick wall portion 36 than the lower end of the stopper surface 37.

[0028] A collision surface 39 is formed on the upper surface of the thick wall portion 36 and is connected to the lower end of the locking surface 37 of the locking protrusion 35 along the front-back direction. When the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are properly fitted, the locking arm 46 collides with the collision surface 39, thereby generating a locking sound (see Figure 2 ).

[0029] The locking portion 33 has a groove 41 at the base end side in the protruding direction, that is, at the lower end of the extending portion 34. Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the cross section of the groove 41 is rectangular, and the groove 41 is respectively recessed on the left and right sides of the lower end of the extension portion 34. The groove 41 extends in the front-to-back direction over the entire length of the locking portion 33, with the front end opening on the front surface of the locking portion 33 and the rear end closed by the flange portion 31.

[0030] The upper side surface (surface facing downward) and the lower side surface (surface facing upward) of the groove surface of the groove 41 are arranged parallel to each other along the front-back direction and the left-right direction, and the side surface facing the outer side in the width direction is arranged along the front-back direction and the upper-lower direction. The lower side surface of the groove 41 is formed on the upper surface of the upper wall 21 of the cover part 17. The upper side surface of the groove 41 becomes a pressing surface 42, and the pressing surface 42 is contactably opposed to the opposite end 75 of the later-described dividing wall part 74 of the second shell 12 from the upper side (outside). The side surface of the groove 41 is arranged in the same height range as the flange part 31.

[0031] (Main housing, second terminal parts) As described above, the second housing 12 is composed of the main housing 13 and the front holding body 14 which are separate from each other. The main housing 13 is made of synthetic resin, such as Fig.10As shown, it has a housing body 43, a fitting cylinder 44 surrounding the outer periphery of the housing body 43, a connecting portion 45 connecting the housing body 43 and the fitting cylinder 44 in the radial direction, a locking arm 46 arranged on the upper side (outer side) than the fitting cylinder 44, and a covering portion 47 covering the locking arm 46. Figure 2 As shown, cavities 48 extending in the front-rear direction are respectively formed at the upper end and the lower end of the housing body 43 .

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, a surrounding portion 49 having a vertically long elliptical shape is formed in the rear portion of the front and rear portions of the housing body 43 sandwiching the connecting portion 45, and a pair of cavity tower portions 51 divided into upper and lower parts are formed in the front portion.

[0033] Each cavity tower 51 is formed according to each cavity 48. Fig.10 As shown, each cavity tower portion 51 has a front wall 52 that closes the front end of the cavity 48. A laterally long insertion port 53 is formed on the front wall 52, through which the first terminal part 16 can be inserted from the front side. Each cavity tower portion 51 has a lance 55 on the inner wall 54 that is spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. The lance 55 can be elastically deformed into the space between the inner walls 54 of each cavity tower portion 51.

[0034] like Figure 2 As shown, a rubber plug receiving portion 56 having a larger opening than the front end of each cavity 48 is formed at the rear end side of each cavity 48. Each rubber plug receiving portion 56 is partitioned by a cylindrical portion (not shown) formed inside the surrounding portion 49.

[0035] The second terminal parts 15 are inserted from the rear side into each cavity 48 of the housing body 43. The second terminal parts 15 are female terminals formed by bending a conductive metal plate. Figure 2 As shown, the second terminal part 15 has a cylindrical box portion 57 opened at the front and rear, an elastic contact portion 58 protruding toward the inner side of the box portion 57, and a barrel portion 59 connected to the electric wire W at the rear side of the box portion 57. When the second terminal part 15 is properly inserted into the cavity 48, the box portion 57 is stopped by the lance portion 55. The terminal connection portion 24 of the first terminal part 16 is inserted into the box portion 57 from the insertion port 53, contacts the elastic contact portion 58, and is electrically connected to the second terminal part 15. The electric wire W is crimped to the barrel portion 59 and led out from the shell body 43 to the rear side. The rubber plug 60 is liquid-tightly stored inside the rubber plug storage portion 56. The rubber plug 60 is made of rubber such as silicone rubber, is installed on the outer periphery of the electric wire W, and is connected to the second terminal part 15 through the barrel portion 59.

[0036] like Fig.10As shown, the housing body 43 has a plurality of recesses 61 on the left and right sides. The cross section of each recess 61 is U-shaped, and each recess 61 is recessed in pairs up and down on the left and right sides of each cavity tower 51. Fig.12 As shown, the recessed portion 61 extends over the entire length of each cavity tower portion 51 in the front-rear direction, with the front end opening at the front surface of each cavity tower portion 51 and the rear end being closed by the connecting portion 45 .

[0037] The upper side surface (the surface facing the lower side) and the lower side surface (the surface facing the upper side) in the groove surface of the recess 61 are arranged along the front-to-back direction and the left-right direction, and the side surface facing the outer side in the width direction is arranged along the front-to-back direction and the up-down direction. An arc-shaped curved surface 63 is formed between the upper side surface and each side surface and between the lower side surface and each side surface in the groove surface of the recess 61. Each cavity tower portion 51 has a rib-shaped elastic wall portion 64 extending in the front-to-back direction at the left and right side ends, and the elastic wall portion 64 divides the upper side surface and the lower side surface of the recess 61.

[0038] A plurality of small protrusions 62 are formed on the groove surface of the concave portion 61. Figure 4 As shown, the cross section of each small protrusion 62 is arc-shaped, and each small protrusion 62 is arranged opposite to the left and right middle parts of the upper side and lower side of the concave part 61, and is arranged in the upper and lower middle parts of the side. Fig.12 As shown, each small protrusion 62 extends over the entire length of each recess 61 in the front-rear direction, and has a chamfered slope 65 at the front end.

[0039] like Fig.10 As shown, on the mutually opposing surfaces of the inner wall 54 of each cavity tower portion 51, an entry groove 66 is concavely provided at respective positions on the left and right sides sandwiching the lance-shaped portion 55. Each entry groove 66 extends in the front-to-back direction, and the front end is opened at the front surface of the cavity tower portion 51. Each cavity tower portion 51 has a dam-shaped stopper portion 67 that closes the middle of each entry groove 66 in the front-to-back direction. The stopper portion 67 is locked to a holding body locking portion 97 of the front holding body 14, which will be described later.

[0040] The fitting cylinder 44 is in the shape of a square cylinder. Fig.10 As shown in FIG. 1 , the upper wall 69 and the lower wall 71 are provided with a pair of side walls 68 disposed opposite to each other, and upper and lower walls 69 and 71 disposed opposite to each other. The left and right ends of the inner surface of the upper wall 69 are provided with guide recesses 72, respectively. Figure 3 As shown, each guide rib 32 of the cover portion 17 is engaged with each guide recess 72. Fig.11 As shown in FIG. 1 , the fitting cylinder 44 has a cutout portion 73 in the shape of a cutout of the left and right middle portion of the upper wall portion 69. The cutout portion 73 extends in the front-to-back direction, with the front end opening at the front end surface of the upper wall portion 69 and the rear end closed by the connecting portion 45. The cutout portion 73 has a constant opening width in the left-to-right direction except for the portion on the front end side, and the portion on the front end side widens toward the front side.

[0041] like Fig.11 As shown, the upper wall portion 69 has a pair of partition wall portions 74 that are partitioned into left and right through a cutout portion 73. Each partition wall portion 74 is in a plate shape along the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, and the end portion opposite to the end portion facing the cutout portion 73, that is, the opposite end portion 75, is connected to the side wall portion 68 through a guide recess 72, and the rear end portion is connected to the connection portion 45. In addition, the fitting cylinder portion 44 is continuous in the circumferential direction except for the cutout portion 73.

[0042] The cover portion 47 includes a top plate portion 76 that is opposed to the upper wall portion 69 from the upper side and a pair of side plate portions 77 that are opposed to each other on the left and right sides. The top plate portion 76 is in the shape of a plate along the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction, and has a notch 78 that opens at the rear end. The side plate portion 77 is in the shape of a plate along the front-to-back direction and the up-down direction, and connects the top plate portion 76 and the upper wall portion 69 (partition wall portion 74) in the height direction. A reinforcement portion 79 is formed at the front end of the side plate portion 77 so as to extend outward in the width direction. The reinforcement portion 79 is in the shape of a triangular plate in a main view, and is erected on the upper surface of the partition wall portion 74.

[0043] The lock arm 46 includes an arm body portion 81 extending in the front-rear direction and a pair of support portions 82 extending outward in the width direction from the left and right end surfaces of the arm body portion 81. Figure 6 As shown, each support portion 82 is connected to the opposite side plate portion 77. The arm body portion 81 is arranged between the top plate portion 76 and the upper wall portion 69 in the height direction, and can be elastically deformed (can be shaken and deformed) in a seesaw-like manner with each support portion 82 as a fulcrum. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , a locking hole 83 is formed in the arm main body 81 and penetrates in the up-down direction. A mating detection member (not shown) is accommodated between the cover portion 47 and the upper wall portion 69 and on the outer periphery of the lock arm 46. The mating detection member can move relative to the main housing 13 when the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are properly mated, thereby detecting the mating state of the first housing 11 and the second housing 12.

[0044] (Front holder) The front retaining body 14 is made of synthetic resin and has a rectangular frame shape, and is mounted on each cavity tower portion 51 of the housing body 43 from the front side. Fig.13 As shown, the front holding body 14 has an upper portion 84 and a lower portion 85 opposed to each other vertically and a pair of side portions 86 opposed to each other horizontally. The left and right ends of the upper portion 84 are connected to the upper ends of the side portions 86 via curved upper corner portions 87. The left and right ends of the lower portion 85 are connected to the lower ends of the side portions 86 via curved lower corner portions 88.

[0045] A plurality of rib receiving grooves 89 are concavely provided on the outer surfaces of the upper portion 84 and the lower portion 85. Each rib receiving groove 89 extends in the front-to-back direction, and the front end is opened on the front surface of the upper portion 84 and the lower portion 85. Figure 3As shown, each rib 29 of the cover portion 17 is engaged with each rib receiving groove 89. Fig.14 As shown, rib receiving slots 89 are also formed in the side portion 86 .

[0046] like Fig.13 As shown, the front retaining body 14 has a partition 91, which extends in the left-right direction, and the left and right ends are connected to the upper and lower middle parts of each side part 86. The upper and lower spaces in the front retaining body 14 divided by the partition 91 become a fitting space 92 that penetrates in the front-to-back direction. The cavity tower part 51 is fitted into the fitting space 92 from the rear side. A pair of left and right dividing recesses 93 that penetrate the side part 86 and are open to the outside and the front side in the width direction are formed in the upper and lower middle parts of the partition 91. As shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, each partitioning protrusion 27 of the cover portion 17 is fitted into each partitioning recess 93. Each partitioning recess 93 of the partition portion 91 is formed with a rib receiving portion 94 into which each fitting rib 28 of the cover portion 17 is fitted.

[0047] Restriction surfaces 95 are formed at left and right middle portions of the upper and lower surfaces of the partition 91. Figure 3 As shown in the figure, each limiting surface 95 is contactably opposed to the lance 55 in the bending direction of the corresponding lance 55, and limits the bending movement of the lance 55. Protrusions 96 are formed at positions corresponding to the left and right ends of each limiting surface 95 on the upper surface and the lower surface of the partition 91, and the protrusions 96 define the width dimension of each limiting surface 95. Each protrusion 96 is in the shape of a rib extending in the front-back direction, and is arranged at intervals in the width direction according to the width dimension of the lance 55. The lance 55 is limited in displacement in the width direction by each protrusion 96.

[0048] like Fig.13 As shown, at the rear end of the upper and lower surfaces of the partition 91, at positions close to and outside the width direction of each protrusion 96, a retainer locking portion 97 is protrudingly formed (see Figure 1 ). During the process of assembling the front retaining body 14 to the main housing 13, each retaining body locking portion 97 enters each entry groove 66 of each cavity tower portion 51. Then, each retaining body locking portion 97 elastically passes over each stopper 67 and is locked to each stopper 67, so that the front retaining body 14 is retained in the main housing 13.

[0049] like Fig.13 As shown, each side portion 86 has a setback portion 98 at the upper and lower portions across the partition recess 93. Fig.14 As shown, each retreat portion 98 is in the shape of a groove extending in the front-to-back direction, with the front end opening at the front end surface of each side portion 86 and the rear end closed by the rear end of each side portion 86. The groove width of the retreat portion 98 in the vertical direction is constant in the front-to-back direction and is larger than the vertical dimension of the convex portion 26 of the cover portion 17. Figure 4As shown, the projection 26 is inserted into the inner side of the escape portion 98 with a gap in the vertical direction. The escape portion 98 communicates with the upper and lower middle parts of the fitting space 92 inward in the width direction.

[0050] (Function of connector) Before assembling the second housing 12, the second terminal fittings 15 are inserted from the rear side into the cavities 48 of the housing body 43. The second terminal fittings 15 are locked to the lances 55 and are initially prevented from coming off the housing body 43.

[0051] When assembling the second housing 12, the front retainer 14 is mounted on the housing body 43 from the front side. Each retainer locking portion 97 is locked with each stopper 67, so that the front retainer 14 is properly mounted on the housing body 43. At this time, each cavity tower portion 51 is respectively engaged with the corresponding engagement space 92, and the outer periphery of each cavity tower portion 51 is surrounded by the front retainer 14 (refer to Figure 2 ). The partition 91 of the front retainer 14 is fitted into the space between the inner wall 54 of each cavity tower portion 51. Here, the bending movement of each lance 55 is restricted by the restriction surfaces 95 of the partition 91 facing each lance 55, so that the second terminal part 15 is prevented from falling off with respect to the housing body 43 in two stages. Each retreat portion 98 of the front retainer 14 is respectively arranged at a height position overlapping with the concave portion 61 of the corresponding cavity tower portion 51, and is communicated with the concave portion 61 in a manner facing the concave portion 61.

[0052] Next, the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are fitted together. During the fitting process of the first housing 11 and the second housing 12, the ribs 29 of the cover 17 are inserted into the rib receiving grooves 89 of the front retaining body 14 in a fitted state, and the convex portions 26 of the cover 17 are retracted to the retracting portions 98 of the front retaining body 14, and are inserted into the concave portions 61 of the housing body 43 in a fitted state.

[0053] like Figure 4 As shown, the base end side, i.e., the root portion, of the protruding direction of the protruding portion 26 from the side wall 19 is arranged away from the opposing surface to avoid contact with the upper and lower opposing surfaces (inner surfaces) of the escape portion 98. On the other hand, the top end side, i.e., the tip end portion, of the protruding direction of the protruding portion 26 from the side wall 19 contacts each small protrusion 62 in a state of being fitted with the concave portion 61. Specifically, the upper surface, the lower surface, and the tip end surface of the protruding direction of the protruding portion 26 are respectively in contact with the corresponding small protrusion 62 for a long time along the front-back direction (see Figure 5 ). Therefore, the shaking between the cover portion 17 and the housing body portion 43 can be suppressed. In addition, when the upper and lower small protrusions 62 are in contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the protrusion 26, the upper and lower elastic wall portions 64 can be elastically deformed in directions away from each other, so that the small protrusions 62 can be maintained in a state of not being crushed.

[0054] In addition, during the mating process of the first housing 11 and the second housing 12, the lower end of the locking portion 33 of the cover portion 17 enters the inner side of the cutout portion 73 of the mating cylinder portion 44, and the opposite end portions 75 of each partition wall portion 74 are respectively inserted into the groove 41 of the locking portion 33 in a mating state. Figure 6 As shown, the opposing end portions 75 of the partition wall portions 74 are sandwiched by the first housing 11 from top to bottom inside the groove 41, the pressing surface 42 of the groove 41 is in contact with the upper surface of the opposing end portions 75 of the partition wall portions 74, and the lower side surface of the groove 41 is in contact with the lower surface of the opposing end portions 75 of the partition wall portions. Thus, each partition wall portion 74 is positioned in the first housing 11, and the upper wall portion 69 of the fitting cylinder portion 44 maintains a constant shape. Therefore, even if the cutout portion 73 is formed on the upper wall portion 69 of the fitting cylinder portion 44, the partition wall portion 74 can be prevented from expanding and deforming in a direction that increases the opening width of the cutout portion 73.

[0055] In addition, it is set that: during the fitting process of the first housing 11 and the second housing 12, the top end (front end) of the arm main body 81 of the lock arm 46 contacts the inclined surface 38 of the lock protrusion 35 in the middle of the inclination, and the lock arm 46 does not contact the portion other than the lock protrusion 35 of the cover 17. In this way, the top end of the arm main body 81 slides on the inclined surface 38 of the lock protrusion 35, so that the lock arm 46 is appropriately bent and deformed, and unnecessary friction resistance can be prevented from being generated between the lock arm 46 and the first housing 11.

[0056] After that, the locking arm 46 is elastically reset, and the locking protrusion 35 is embedded in the locking hole 83, thereby maintaining the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 in the fitted state. At the same time, the first terminal part 16 and the second terminal part 15 are connected to the normal state (refer to Figure 2 ). In addition, the rear end of the lock arm 46 is pressed by the notch 78, thereby releasing the locking of the lock arm 46 and the lock portion 33.

[0057] Assuming that the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are not facing each other at the beginning of the mating, for example, when the second housing 12 takes a posture tilted from the normal posture relative to the first housing 11, the top end (front end) of each protrusion 26 interferes with the opposing wall surface of the second housing 12, restricting the mating action of the first housing 11 and the second housing 12. As a result, the terminal connection portion 24 of the first terminal part 16 can be prevented from being tightly deformed due to the interference with the second housing 12. In addition, at the initial stage of the beginning of the mating, the opposing end 75 of the partition wall portion 74 is mated with the groove 41, so that the tilted posture of the second housing 12 relative to the first housing 11 can be quickly reset, thereby also preventing the above-mentioned tight mating.

[0058] When the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are properly fitted, the above-mentioned protrusions 26 are kept fitted with the recesses 61, and the above-mentioned opposite end portions 75 of the partition wall portions 74 are kept fitted with the grooves 41 of the locking portion 33. Therefore, even if the connector 10 is subjected to vibration, the shaking between the first housing 11 and the main housing 13 can be suppressed. In particular, the fitting structure of the recess 61 and the protrusion 26 is formed at the height position overlapping the connecting portion, more specifically, within the height range including the connecting portion, on the left and right sides of the connecting portion between the terminal connecting portion 24 of the first terminal part 16 and the elastic contact portion 58 of the second terminal part 15. In addition, the fitting structure of the recess 61 and the protrusion 26 is also formed at the position overlapping the connecting portion in the front-back direction, more specifically, within the range including the connecting portion. Therefore, when the connector 10 is subjected to vibration, the influence on the connection portion between the first terminal fitting 16 and the second terminal fitting 15 can be reduced, and the rattling between the first housing 11 and the main housing 13 can be suppressed.

[0059] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the convex portion 26 and the concave portion 61 are engaged with each other, so that the shaking of the housing body 43 inside the cover portion 17 can be suppressed, and thus the vibration resistance can be improved. In particular, in the case of the first embodiment, the left and right side surfaces of the housing body 43 are sometimes covered by the front retaining body 14, and the front retaining body 14 is interposed between the convex portion 26 and the concave portion 61. However, since the convex portion 26 can be retracted to the retracting portion 98 of the front retaining body 14, the engagement structure of the concave portion 61 and the convex portion 26 can be realized.

[0060] In addition, since a clearance (gap) is formed between the outer surface of the protrusion 26 and the inner surface of the retreat portion 98, it is possible to avoid excessive resistance to the fitting of the first housing 11 and the second housing 12. In addition, since the recess 61 is arranged at a height position overlapping the cavity 48 in the housing body 43, it is possible to avoid the first terminal part 16 and the second terminal part 15 from sliding and wearing.

[0061] In addition, since the small protrusions 62 extending in the front-rear direction and contacting the protrusions 26 are formed on the inner surface of the recessed portion 61, the shaking of the housing body 43 inside the cover portion 17 can be more effectively suppressed. In particular, since the small protrusions 62 are respectively formed on the upper end surface and the lower end surface of the inner surface of the recessed portion 61 that are opposite to each other, the shaking of the housing body 43 inside the cover portion 17 can be further effectively suppressed.

[0062] In addition, since the shell body 43 has a plurality of cavity tower portions 51 spaced apart in the height direction, and the recesses 61 are respectively formed on the left and right sides of each cavity tower portion 51, the shaking of the shell body 43 on the inner side of the cover portion 17 can be more reliably suppressed by engaging each convex portion 26 with each recess 61.

[0063] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, since the fitting cylinder 44 of the second housing 12 does not have the locking arm 46, the locking arm 46 is arranged on the upper side of the fitting cylinder 44 so as to be locked with the locking portion 33, the thickness of the fitting cylinder 44 does not increase, and the amount of molding resin of the fitting protrusion can be reduced. In particular, even if the locking arm 46 is arranged on the upper side of the fitting cylinder 44, the locking arm 46 and the locking portion 33 can be locked by the fitting cylinder 44 having the cutout portion 73.

[0064] In addition, since the second housing 12 has the pressing surface 42, and the pressing surface 42 is opposed to the partition wall portion 74 of the fitting cylinder portion 44 from the upper side so as to be contactable, the partition wall portion 74 can be suppressed from expanding and deforming in the direction of increasing the opening width of the cutout portion 73. In particular, since the opposing end portion 75 of the partition wall portion 74 is engaged with the groove 41 of the locking portion 33, and the pressing surface 42 is formed on the groove surface of the groove 41, the complication of the structure of the first housing 11 can be avoided. In addition, by engaging the opposing end portion 75 of the partition wall portion 74 with the groove 41, the shaking between the fitting cylinder portion 44 and the first housing 11 can be suppressed, so that the vibration resistance can be further improved.

[0065] In addition, since the cutout portion 73 and the recessed portion 61 are both shaped to extend in the front-rear direction, the range in which the opposite end portion 75 of the partition wall portion 74 fits with the recessed groove 41 can be set longer in the front-rear direction. As a result, the rattling between the fitting cylinder portion 44 and the first housing 11 can be more effectively suppressed, and the vibration resistance can be further improved.

[0066] Furthermore, since the lock arm 46 is disposed above the fitting cylinder 44 , the fitting cylinder 44 and the housing body 43 can be formed with less restriction from the lock arm 46 , thereby increasing the degree of freedom of shape of each of the fitting cylinder 44 and the housing body 43 .

[0067] Furthermore, since the second housing 12 includes the cover portion 47 that covers the lock arm 46 and the cover portion 47 is connected to the partition wall portion 74 , the lock arm 46 can be protected by the cover portion 47 and the partition wall portion 74 can be reinforced by the cover portion 47 .

[0068] [Other embodiments of the present invention] It should be considered that the above-mentioned Embodiment 1 disclosed this time is an illustration and not restrictive in all aspects. In the above-mentioned embodiment 1, the recess is formed on the side of the shell body, and the convex is formed on the inner surface of the cover. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the recess may be formed on the inner surface of the cover, and the convex may be formed on the side of the shell body, which is opposite to the above-mentioned embodiment 1. According to the first embodiment, small convex portions are formed on the groove surface of the concave portion. However, according to another embodiment, small convex portions may not be formed on the groove surface of the concave portion, and the convex portions may contact the groove surface of the concave portion in a surface contact state. In the first embodiment, the pressing surface is formed on the groove surface of the groove of the locking portion. In contrast, according to another embodiment, the pressing surface may be formed on a portion of the first housing other than the groove surface of the groove of the locking portion. In the first embodiment, the first terminal part has a substrate connection portion and the first housing is provided on the circuit board. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the first terminal part may not have a substrate connection portion and the first housing may not be provided on the circuit board. In the first embodiment, the first housing is configured as a male housing for mounting a first terminal part as a male terminal, and the second housing is configured as a female housing for housing a second terminal part as a female terminal. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the first housing may be configured as a female housing for housing a first terminal part as a female terminal, and the second housing may be configured as a male housing for mounting a second terminal part as a male terminal, in contrast to the first embodiment. According to the first embodiment, a clearance (gap) is formed between the outer surface of the convex portion and the inner surface of the retreat portion. In contrast, according to other embodiments, no clearance (gap) may be formed between the outer surface of the convex portion and the inner surface of the retreat portion. For example, the outer surface of the convex portion may partially contact the inner surface of the retreat portion. Description of Reference Numerals

[0069] 10: Connector 11: Shell 1 12: Second shell 13: Main shell 14: Front retainer 15: Second terminal parts 16: 1st terminal part 17: Hood 18: Inner wall 19: Sidewall 21: Up the wall 22: Lower wall 23: Terminal mounting hole 24: Terminal connection 25: Substrate connection part 26: convex part 27: Divide the convex part 28: Chimeric rib 29: Rib 31: Flange 32: Guide ribs 33: Locking part 34: Extension 35: Locking protrusion 36: Thick wall 37: Stop surface 38: Inclined surface 39: Collision Surface 41: Groove 42: Pressing surface 43: Shell body 44: Fitting barrel 45: Connection 46: Locking Arm 47: Covering 48: Cavity 49: Encirclement 51: Cavity tower 52: Anterior wall 53: Plug-in port 54: Inner wall 55: Spear 56: Rubber plug storage part 57: Box Department 58: Elastic contact part 59: Barrel 60: Rubber plug 61: Concave 62: Small convex part 63: Curved surface 64: Elastic wall 65: Bevel 66: Enter the slot 67: Stopper 68: Side wall 69: Upper wall 71: Lower wall 72: Guide recess 73: Incision 74: Dividing wall 75: Opposite ends 76: Top plate 77: Side panel 78: Notch 79: Strengthening Department 81: Arm body 82: Supporting part 83: Locking hole 84: Upper part 85: Lower part 86: Side 87: Upper corner 88: Lower corner 89: Rib receiving groove 91: Divider 92: Chimeric Space 93: Divide the concave part 94: Rib receiving portion 95: Restricted surface 96: protrusion 97: Holding body locking part 98: Retreat Department P: Circuit board

Claims

1. A connector comprising a first housing and a second housing, wherein: The first housing has a locking portion protruding from an outer surface of the first housing, The second housing has a fitting cylinder and a locking arm, the first housing is fitted with the inner side of the fitting cylinder, the locking arm is arranged on the outer side of the fitting cylinder and is locked to the locking portion in the fitting state with the first housing. The fitting cylinder has a cutout portion opened on the front side in the fitting direction with the first housing. A portion of the locking portion is disposed inside the cutout portion.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The second housing includes a pressing surface that is contactably opposed to a partition wall portion partitioned via the cutout portion of the fitting cylindrical portion from the outside of the fitting cylindrical portion.

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein: The locking portion has a groove on a base end side in a protruding direction from the outer surface, The opposite end of the partition wall portion is engaged with the groove, The pressing surface is formed on a groove surface of the groove.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein: The cutout portion and the groove are both shaped to extend along the fitting direction.

5. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The first housing has a cylindrical cover portion that allows the locking portion to protrude from the outer surface. The second housing has a housing body portion disposed inside the fitting cylinder portion. The cover portion can be fitted between the fitting cylinder portion and the housing body portion.

6. The connector according to claim 5, wherein: The second housing has a covering portion that covers the lock arm from the outside. The covering portion is connected to a partition wall portion partitioned via the cutout portion of the fitting cylindrical portion.

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