Connector

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to easily detect whether a locked state is appropriate or not when a second housing is integrated with a first housing having an inner wall and an outer wall by means of a locking structure. The connector has an integrated structure of housings, and is provided with: a first housing including an outer wall and an inner wall positioned further inward than the outer wall; and a second housing joined to the first housing, the second housing having a locking piece, the locking piece including a locking piece main body disposed between the outer wall and the inner wall, and a detection protrusion protruding from the locking piece main body toward the outer wall side, one of the locking piece main body and the inner wall having a locking protrusion formed thereon, and the other of the locking piece main body and the inner wall having a detection protrusion protruding from the detection protrusion toward the outer wall side. A locking recess is formed on the other side of the housing, the locking projection is locked to the locking recess, and a detection projection on which the detection projection is disposed is formed on the outer wall.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a flat quadrangular prism-shaped first detection portion is inserted into an opening of a connector housing, and the bending deformation of the lance is detected by contact between the inserted first detection portion and the lance, thereby confirming the insertion state of the female terminal. Prior art literature Patent Literature

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-230857 Summary of the invention Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] When the first housing has a plurality of walls, the second housing may be locked to the inner wall. In this case, it is difficult to observe the locking structure from the outside and to detect whether the locking is appropriate.

[0005] Furthermore, when applying the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, a thin and long detection portion is inserted between the walls. A thin and long detection portion is weak in strength, and therefore it is desirable to detect the suitability of the locking structure by other methods.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to easily detect whether a locked state is appropriate when a second housing is combined with a first housing having an inner wall and an outer wall via a locking structure. Means for solving problems

[0007] The connector of the present invention has a combined structure of a shell, and the connector comprises: a first shell, including an outer wall and an inner wall located on the inner side of the outer wall; and a second shell, which is combined with the first shell, and the second shell has a locking piece, and the locking piece includes a locking piece body and a detection protrusion, the locking piece body is arranged between the outer wall and the inner wall, and the detection protrusion protrudes from the locking piece body toward the outer wall side, a locking protrusion is formed on one side of the locking piece body and the inner wall, and a locking recess is formed on the other side, the locking protrusion is locked in the locking recess, and a detection opening for configuring the detection protrusion is formed on the outer wall. Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, when the second housing is combined with the first housing having the inner wall and the outer wall by the locking structure, it is possible to easily detect whether the locked state is appropriate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing a connector according to the embodiment. Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing a connector according to the embodiment. Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Cross-sectional view along line III-III. Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the connector. Figure 5 It is a partially cutaway exploded perspective view showing the connector. Figure 6 yes Figure 2 VI-VI line cross-sectional view. Figure 7 It is a perspective view showing the connector in an abnormal locked state. Figure 8 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector in an abnormally locked state. Fig. 9 It is a diagram showing an example of a detection operation of an abnormal locked state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] [Description of Embodiments of the Invention] First, embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of examples.

[0011] The connector of the present invention is as follows.

[0012] (1) A connector having a combined structure of a shell, the connector comprising: a first shell including an outer wall and an inner wall located on the inner side of the outer wall; and a second shell combined with the first shell, the second shell having a locking piece, the locking piece including a locking piece body and a detection protrusion, the locking piece body being arranged between the outer wall and the inner wall, the detection protrusion protruding from the locking piece body toward the outer wall, a locking convex portion being formed on one side of the locking piece body and the inner wall, and a locking concave portion being formed on the other side, the locking convex portion being locked to the locking concave portion, and a detection opening being formed on the outer wall for arranging the detection protrusion.

[0013] According to the present invention, when the locking protrusion cannot be normally locked in the locking recess, the locking piece body is elastically deformed toward the outer wall side, and the detection protrusion is located outside the normal locking state. According to the position of the detection protrusion in the detection opening, the appropriateness of the locking state can be easily detected.

[0014] (2) In the connector of (1), the protrusion length of the detection protrusion may be set to a size that the detection protrusion protrudes outward from the outer wall when the locking state of the locking protrusion relative to the locking recess is abnormal.

[0015] Thus, the appropriateness of the locked state can be easily detected based on the protrusion length of the detection protrusion from the outer wall.

[0016] (3) In the connector of (2), the protruding length of the detection protrusion may be set to a size such that the detection protrusion is located inside the outer surface of the outer wall when the locking state of the locking protrusion relative to the locking recess is normal.

[0017] Thus, whether the locked state is appropriate or not can be easily detected by determining whether the detection protrusion protrudes from the outer wall.

[0018] (4) In any one of the connectors of (1) to (3), the first shell may have a terminal housing portion for housing a terminal, the terminal having a wire connecting portion and a connecting portion with a terminal on the other side, the wire connecting portion side of the terminal housing portion is open, and the second shell may be a cover for closing the opening of the first shell.

[0019] Whether the locking state of the first housing for accommodating the terminals and the cover for closing the rear opening of the first housing is appropriate can be easily detected.

[0020] (5) In any one of the connectors of (1) to (4), the locking piece may further include an anti-swaying protrusion, and when the locking piece body is arranged between the outer wall and the inner wall, the anti-swaying protrusion protrudes from the locking piece body toward the outer wall side and presses against the inner surface of the outer wall.

[0021] In this case, because the anti-swaying projection is pressed against the inner surface of the outer wall, the shaking between the first housing and the second housing can be suppressed. In addition, the anti-swaying projection presses the locking piece toward the inner wall, thereby also helping the locking protrusion and the locking recess to maintain the locked state.

[0022] (6) In the connector of (5), the anti-loosening protrusion may be formed on the locking piece body at a position closer to the base end than the locking convex portion or the locking concave portion.

[0023] In this case, after the locking protrusion is locked in the locking recess, the anti-wobbling protrusion can be pressed against the outer wall. Thus, the anti-wobbling protrusion can prevent wobbling without hindering the operability of locking the locking protrusion in the locking recess.

[0024] (7) In the connector of (5) or (6), the detection protrusion and the anti-shake protrusion may be located at different positions in a direction intersecting the insertion direction of the detection protrusion. Thus, while the anti-shake protrusion suppresses shaking, it is easy to detect whether the locking state is appropriate.

[0025] (8) In any one of the connectors from (1) to (7), the outer wall may include a pair of outer walls, the inner wall may include a pair of inner walls, the pair of inner walls are located on the inner side of the pair of outer walls and are connected by a connecting wall portion, the detection opening is formed in a position of the outer wall opposite to the connecting wall portion, and the detection protrusion is arranged in the detection opening on the outer side of the connecting wall portion.

[0026] In this case, the connecting wall is located inside the detection protrusion. Therefore, even if force is applied to the periphery of the detection opening and the detection protrusion when the connector is plugged in or out, the first housing and the second housing are unlikely to deform and the combined state is unlikely to be released.

[0027] (9) In any one of the connectors described in (1) to (8), the detection protrusion may be formed in a convex shape that is elongated along a protruding direction of the locking piece body.

[0028] In this way, by thinning the detection protrusion, the opening width of the detection opening can be reduced, so it is easy to ensure the strength of the outer wall. In addition, by making the detection protrusion slender, it is easy to ensure the strength of the detection protrusion.

[0029] (10) In any one of the connectors described in (1) to (9), the detection protrusion may protrude toward the outer wall at least at a distal end of the locking piece body.

[0030] When the locking state of the locking piece is abnormal, the end of the locking piece body is easily located at the outermost wall side. Therefore, the detection protrusion protrudes toward the outer wall side at least at the end of the locking piece body, thereby easily detecting the abnormality of the locking state.

[0031] [Details of Embodiments of the Invention] Specific examples of the connector of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is shown by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0032] [Implementation Method] Hereinafter, a connector according to an embodiment will be described. Figure 1 and Figure 2 2 is a perspective view showing the connector 20 . Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Cross-sectional view along line III-III. Figure 4 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the connector 20 . Figure 5 1 is a partially cutaway exploded perspective view showing the connector 20 . Figure 6 yes Figure 2 VI-VI line cross-sectional view.

[0033] <Overall Structure> The connector 20 is a connector having a combined structure of a plurality of housings. The connector 20 includes a first housing 30 and a second housing 50. The first housing 30 and the second housing 50 are combined to form a housing that forms a space for accommodating at least the terminal 12, or in this embodiment, a space for accommodating the terminal 12 and the wire 16 extending from the terminal 12.

[0034] The first housing 30 is a molded component formed of resin or the like, and has a terminal receiving portion 32. The terminal core unit 22 (see Figure 3 ).

[0035] The terminal core unit 22 includes a terminal 12 and a terminal retaining body 24 for retaining the terminal 12. The terminal 12 is a component formed by stamping a metal plate, etc., and includes a wire connecting portion and a terminal connecting portion on the other side. The wire connecting portion and the terminal connecting portion on the other side are connected in a straight line, for example. The wire connecting portion at one end of the terminal 12 is connected to the end of the wire 16 by crimping, etc. The terminal connecting portion on the other side is formed in a cylindrical shape, for example, and a pin-shaped or joint-shaped male connecting portion of the terminal on the other side is inserted and connected to the terminal connecting portion on the other side.

[0036] The terminal holder 24 is a resin component that holds the terminal 12. For example, the terminal core unit 22 includes a plurality of terminals 12. The terminal holder 24 holds the plurality of terminals 12 in a predetermined arrangement in a state where the plurality of terminals 12 are insulated from each other. In a state where the plurality of terminals 12 are held by the terminal holder 24, the terminal holder 24 is held in the terminal storage portion 32 of the first housing 30. Thus, in the first housing 30, the plurality of terminals 12 can be easily held in a predetermined arrangement state.

[0037] The terminal housing portion 32 holds the terminal holding body 24 therein, thereby holding the terminal 12 therein. The terminal housing portion 32 includes an outer cylindrical portion 34 and an inner cylindrical portion 40 located on the inner side of the outer cylindrical portion 34 .

[0038] In the present embodiment, the inner cylinder 40 is formed into a cylindrical shape that surrounds the terminal holding body 24, and the outer cylinder 34 is formed into a cylindrical shape that surrounds the inner cylinder 40 at intervals. In the present embodiment, the inner cylinder 40 and the outer cylinder 34 are formed into a square cylinder. Here, the square cylinder is not only a square cylinder with right angles, but also a square cylinder with rounded corners.

[0039] The inner tube 40 and the outer tube 34 are connected via a partition wall 31 located in the middle of the axial direction thereof. The partition wall 31 is interposed between the outer circumference of the inner tube 40 and the inner circumference of the outer tube 34, and functions as a spacer forming a gap between the inner tube 40 and the outer tube 34.

[0040] The portion of the inner tube 40 and the outer tube 34 that extends to the side (front side) of the partition wall 31 is the portion connected to the other side connector. The portion of the inner tube 40 that is closer to the side of the partition wall 31 (the portion extending to the front side) is formed as a connector connection inner end 41F, and the connector connection inner end 41F is formed into a square tube shape. The connector connection inner end 41F surrounds the other side terminal connection portion of the terminal 12. The portion of the outer tube 34 that is closer to the side of the partition wall 31 (the portion extending to the front side) is formed as a connector connection outer end 34F, and the connector connection outer end 34F surrounds the connector connection inner end 41F at intervals. In the following description, for convenience, in the axial direction of the terminal storage portion 32, the side connected to the other side connector is sometimes referred to as the front, and the opposite side is referred to as the back. In addition, the side where the locking piece 34Fa described later extends is sometimes referred to as the top, and the side where the wire lead-out storage portion 38 extends is sometimes referred to as the bottom. Furthermore, sometimes, based on their up and down directions, the left and right are referred to in the forward state.

[0041] The connection part between the terminal 12 and the other terminal is surrounded by the connector connection inner end 41F and the connector connection outer end 34F, thereby improving the water-proof and protective properties of the connection part. In addition, the annular seal can be interposed between the connector connection inner end 41F and the partition wall 31 and the housing of the other connector, thereby improving the water-proof properties of the above connection part.

[0042] Here, the connector connection inner end portion 41F accommodates one end portion (front end portion) of the terminal core unit 22. A locking piece 34Fa is formed at a portion (upper portion) in the circumferential direction of the connector connection outer end portion 34F, and the locking piece 34Fa is locked to the mating connector.

[0043] The portions of the inner tube portion 40 and the outer tube portion 34 extending to the rear side of the partition wall 31 are portions that accommodate the wire connecting portions of the terminals 12 and the wires 16 extending from the terminals 12 .

[0044] The rearward portion of the inner tube portion 40 relative to the partition wall 31 extends on the extension line of the connector connection inner end portion 41F and is formed into a square tube-shaped inner storage end portion 41R. The rear end portion of the terminal core unit 22 is stored in the inner storage end portion 41R. In addition, the electric wire 16 extending from the terminal core unit 22 is bent in the inner storage end portion 41R and led out in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the inner storage end portion 41R.

[0045] The portion of the outer tube portion 34 extending rearward of the partition wall 31 is formed as an outer storage end portion 34R, and the outer storage end portion 34R surrounds the inner storage end portion 41R at a distance. The outer storage end portion 34R extends on an extension line of the connector connection outer end portion 34F.

[0046] A locking piece 34Fa is formed at a portion of the circumference of the connector connection outer end 34F and the outer storage end 34R, and the locking piece 34Fa is locked to the other connector. The wire connection side, that is, the rear side, of the inner storage end 41R and the outer storage end 34R is open.

[0047] As described above, the inner cylinder 40 of the first housing 30 surrounds the terminal core unit 22, and a structure for locking with the other connector is provided in the outer cylinder 34. Therefore, it is easy to design the shape for holding the terminal core unit 22 and the shape for locking with the other connector separately.

[0048] The first housing 30 also has a wire lead-out storage portion 38. The wire lead-out storage portion 38 is a portion that is integrally formed with the above-mentioned terminal storage portion 32 by using resin through a mold. The wire lead-out storage portion 38 is formed in a square cylinder shape. One end of the wire lead-out storage portion 38 is connected to a portion of the outer peripheral portion of the outer cylinder portion 34. In the present embodiment, the wire lead-out storage portion 38 is connected to the lower portion of the outer cylinder portion 34 on the opposite side to the locking piece 34Fa. The internal space of the wire lead-out storage portion 38 is connected to the inner storage end portion 41R and the rear internal space of the outer storage end portion (refer to Figure 3 The wires led out to the rear of the terminal core unit 22 are bent in the rear space of the inner storage end 41R and the outer storage end, and are led out in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the terminal storage portion 32 through the recessed portion of the rear opening edge.

[0049] The rear opening of the wire lead-out storage section 38 is continuous with the rear opening of the inner storage end 41R. Therefore, an assembly opening 33 is formed at the rear of the first housing 30 from the rear of the terminal storage section 32 toward the rear wall of the wire lead-out storage section 38.

[0050] Since the assembly opening 33 opens at the rear of the terminal receiving portion 32, it is easy to assemble the terminal core unit 22 into the terminal receiving portion 32 through the assembly opening 33. In addition, the assembly opening 33 opens from the rear of the terminal receiving portion 32 toward the wire lead-out receiving portion 38. Therefore, when assembling the terminal core unit 22, the wires 16 extending from the terminal core unit 22 can be drawn out from the first housing 30 through the assembly opening 33 in advance. Therefore, when assembling the terminal core unit 22, it is easy to ensure a handling space for the wires 16.

[0051] The end of the wire lead-out accommodating portion 38 on the opposite side from the terminal accommodating portion 32 is formed as a completely surrounded lead-out end portion 39. The wire 16 passes through the wire lead-out accommodating portion 38 and is led out to the outside through the lead-out end portion 39.

[0052] The second housing 50 is a member formed integrally with resin or the like by a mold, and is a member combined with the first housing 30. In the present embodiment, the second housing 50 is a cover that closes the mounting opening 33 of the first housing 30.

[0053] That is, the second shell 50 has a cover body 52 that closes the assembly opening 33. The cover body 52 is formed into a shape that can be embedded in the assembly opening 33. In a state where the terminal core unit 22 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 32 and the wire 16 extending from the terminal core unit 22 is accommodated in the wire lead-out accommodating portion 38, the second shell 50 closes the assembly opening 33. As a result, the terminal 12 and the wire 16 are accommodated in a space separated from the outside. For example, an annular sealing member is interposed between the cover body 52 and the assembly opening 33, and the opening extending from the power supply line 16 from the wire lead-out accommodating portion 38 is waterproofed by a rubber plug or the like, so that the wire connection portion of the terminal 12 and the connection portion of the wire 16 are well waterproofed.

[0054] <About the snap-fit ​​structure> The first housing 30 and the second housing 50 are held in a combined state by an engagement structure. The engagement structure of the first housing 30 and the second housing 50 will be described.

[0055] The first housing 30 includes an outer wall and an inner wall located on the inner side of the outer wall.

[0056] In the present embodiment, the outer wall includes a pair of outer side walls 36. More specifically, the left and right parts of the outer storage end 34R are a pair of outer side walls 36. The outer side wall 36 includes a flat plate-like portion in the middle part in the up-down direction and a curved portion connected to the upper and lower parts of the flat plate-like portion. The flat plate-like portion is along the up-down and front-back directions. The curved portion is a portion that is bent in a manner that protrudes outward from the upper edge or lower edge of the flat plate-like portion and is bent toward the center of the width direction of the first shell 30. The upper and lower edges of the outer side wall 36 are a pair of supporting edges supported by the top or bottom of the outer storage end 34R. The outer side wall 36 can be elastically deformed in the inward and outward directions with the upper and lower supporting edges as the supporting parts, and the central part in the up-down direction is the most easily displaced part. The outer side wall 36 can be grasped as a part that can be observed along the outside (i.e., the left or right) that is orthogonal to the flat plate-like portion in the center of the up-down direction.

[0057] In addition, in this embodiment, the inner wall includes a pair of inner side walls 42. More specifically, the left and right parts of the inner storage end 41R are a pair of inner side walls 42. The pair of inner side walls 42 are located inside the pair of outer side walls 36. The outer side surface of the inner side wall 42 is formed into a plane facing right or left (refer to Figure 5). The upper and lower edges of the inner wall 42 are a pair of supporting edges supported by the top or bottom of the inner storage end 41R. The top and bottom of the inner storage end 41R are the connecting wall portion 41Ra that keeps the pair of inner walls 42 in a connected state. The inner wall 42 can be elastically deformed inward and outward directions with the upper and lower supporting edges of the pair of connecting wall portions 41Ra as supporting parts, and the central part in the vertical direction is the part that is most easily elastically deformed.

[0058] The inner wall 42 is formed with a locking recess 43 (see Figure 5 and Figure 6 The locking recess 43 is a recessed portion to which the locking protrusion 54b described later is locked. The locking recess 43 only needs to be recessed when viewed from the outer surface of the inner wall 42, and can be a recessed portion with a bottom or a recessed portion that penetrates the inner wall.

[0059] In the present embodiment, the locking recess 43 is a bottomed recess that is recessed at a position away from the rear edge toward the front side in the inner wall 42 .

[0060] The locking recess 43 is formed in the middle area of ​​the upper and lower supporting edges in the inner wall 42. The middle area of ​​the upper and lower supporting edges in the inner wall 42 is, for example, a middle area away from the upper and lower supporting edges, for example, an area away from the supporting part of the top or bottom of the inner storage end 41R toward the inside when viewed from the side.

[0061] In this embodiment, two locking recesses 43 are formed on one inner side wall 42. The two locking recesses 43 are formed in a manner arranged in the up-down direction of the inner side wall 42. One of the two locking recesses 43 is located between the upper support edge of the inner side wall 42 and the up-down center line of the inner side wall 42, and the other is located between the lower support edge of the inner side wall 42 and the up-down center line. In addition, the number of the locking recesses 43 is arbitrary, and may be one, or may be three or more.

[0062] The outer wall 36 is provided with a detection opening 37h1. The detection opening 37h1 is an opening in which a detection protrusion 54c described later is arranged. The detection opening 37h1 is an opening that penetrates the outer wall 36 in the thickness direction. The detection opening 37h1 can be any opening that penetrates any part of the outer wall 36. Therefore, the detection opening 37h1 can be a slit-shaped opening that reaches the outer edge of the outer wall 36, or an opening that is entirely surrounded by the outer wall 36.

[0063] In the present embodiment, the detection opening 37h1 is formed in a long and narrow slit shape extending forward from the rear edge of the outer wall 36. The detection opening 37h1 is formed at a position different from the locking recess 43 in the vertical direction.

[0064] In the present embodiment, the detection opening 37h1 is formed at a position close to the upper edge of the outer wall 36. More specifically, the detection opening 37h1 is formed at a position opposite to the connecting wall portion 41Ra on the top side of the inner storage end portion 41R in the left-right direction in the outer wall 36. Therefore, when the detection opening 37h1 is viewed from the left or right, the portion of the inner storage end portion 41R corresponding to the connecting wall portion 41Ra on the top side can be observed.

[0065] The second housing 50 includes a locking piece 54, which is inserted between the outer wall 36 and the inner wall 42 and locked to the inner wall 42. The locking piece 54 is locked to the inner wall 42, and its locked portion is covered by the outer wall 36. Therefore, it is difficult for the operator's hand or surrounding members to come into contact with the locking piece 54 locked to the inner wall 42. Therefore, the locking of the locking piece 54 is not easily released accidentally.

[0066] The locking piece 54 includes a locking piece body 54 a , a locking convex portion 54 b , and a detection protrusion 54 c .

[0067] The locking piece body 54a is formed in a plate shape protruding from the side edge of the cover body 52 in a direction perpendicular to the cover body 52. ​​Therefore, when the cover body 52 is used to close the assembly opening 33, the locking piece body 54a can be inserted between the outer wall 36 and the inner wall 42.

[0068] The locking piece body 54a is formed into a flat plate shape that can be arranged in the flat space between the outer wall 36 and the inner wall 42. The vertical dimension of the locking piece body 54a is set to be, for example, the same as or larger than the vertical dimension of the inner wall 42. The thickness dimension of the locking piece body 54a is set to be smaller than the gap dimension between the outer wall 36 and the inner wall 42. Therefore, the locking piece body 54a can be elastically deformed in the thickness direction between the outer wall 36 and the inner wall 42. The protruding length of the locking piece body 54a is set to a size that passes over the locking recess 43 between the outer wall 36 and the inner wall 42 and does not reach the partition wall 31.

[0069] The locking protrusion 54b is formed in a manner protruding from the locking piece body 54a toward the inner side wall 42 side. In the present embodiment, two locking protrusions 54b are formed on the locking piece body 54a according to the position and number of the locking recesses 43. The two locking protrusions 54b are formed separately in the up-down direction at the inner surface end of the locking piece body 54a. The locking protrusion 54b has a guide surface 54bf, and the protruding length of the guide surface 54bf protruding from the inner surface of the locking piece body 54a gradually decreases toward the end side of the locking piece body 54a. The locking recess may also be one.

[0070] The detection protrusion 54c is formed in a protrusion shape protruding from the locking piece body 54a toward the outer wall 36. The detection protrusion 54c is formed at a position arranged in the detection opening 37h1 when the locking piece body 54a is inserted between the outer wall 36 and the inner wall 42.

[0071] Therefore, when the locking protrusion 54b of the locking piece body 54a is locked in the locking recess 43 of the inner side wall 42, the position of the detection protrusion 54c can be observed from the outside through the detection opening 37h1. It is assumed that when the locking protrusion 54b of the locking piece body 54a is normally locked in the locking recess 43 of the inner side wall 42, the locking piece body 54a extends along the outer surface of the inner side wall 42, and the detection protrusion 54c is located on the inner side of the detection opening 37h1. It is assumed that when the locking protrusion 54b of the locking piece body 54a is not normally locked in the locking recess 43 of the inner side wall 42, the locking protrusion 54b rises to the outer surface of the inner side wall 42 around the locking recess 43. In this case, the locking piece body 54a is elastically deformed in a direction away from the inner wall 42, so it is assumed that the detection protrusion 54c is located closer to the outer opening side of the detection opening 37h1 than the position in the above-mentioned normal locking state. Therefore, by confirming the position of the detection protrusion 54c in the detection opening 37h1 from the outside of the connector 20, it is possible to easily detect whether the locking state is appropriate.

[0072] More specifically, the upper side edge of the locking piece body 54a is arranged along the outer side of the top side connecting wall portion 41Ra of the inner wall 42 and arranged inside the detection opening 37h1. The detection protrusion 54c is formed in a shape protruding from the upper side edge of the locking piece body 54a toward the outer wall 36 side.

[0073] Therefore, the detection protrusion 54c is formed at a position different from the locking projection 54b in the direction (up and down direction) intersecting the insertion direction of the locking piece body 54a. Therefore, the detection opening 37h1 where the detection protrusion 54c is arranged does not easily expose the locking portion of the locking projection 54b and the locking recess 43.

[0074] The shape of the detection protrusion 54c is arbitrary, but in the present embodiment, the detection protrusion 54c is formed into a slender convex shape along the protruding direction of the locking piece body 54a. More specifically, the detection protrusion 54c is formed into a slender protrusion shape extending along the side edge of the upper side of the locking piece body 54a and protruding toward the outer side wall 36. Therefore, while the detection protrusion 54c is easily thinned, the strength of the detection protrusion 54c is easily improved. By thinning the detection protrusion 54c, the width of the detection opening 37h1 can be thinned, and the strength of the outer side wall 36 can be easily improved.

[0075] In addition, it is preferable that the detection protrusion 54c protrudes toward the outer wall 36 at least at the distal end of the locking piece body 54a. In the present embodiment, the elongated detection protrusion 54c passes over the locking convex portion 54b and reaches the distal end of the locking piece body 54a.

[0076] When the locking convex portion 54b is not normally locked with respect to the inner wall 42, the locking piece body 54a is deformed with the base end as the support portion, so it is assumed that the distal end of the locking piece body 54a is located at the position farthest from the inner wall 42. If the detection protrusion 54c protrudes toward the outer wall 36 at least at the distal end of the locking piece body 54a, the position change of the detection protrusion 54c can be increased when the locking state is not normal, and the abnormality of the locking state can be easily detected.

[0077] The detection protrusion 54c is not necessarily in the above-mentioned shape. For example, the detection protrusion may be a cylindrical, quadrangular, hemispherical, or conical protrusion that protrudes in at least a portion of the protruding direction of the locking piece body.

[0078] The protruding length of the detection protrusion 54c is arbitrary, but when the locking state of the locking convex portion 54b with respect to the locking concave portion 43 is not normal, the detection protrusion 54c is preferably set to a size that protrudes outward from the outer wall 36.

[0079] For example, when the locking protrusion 54b is not normally locked in the locking recess 43, the locking protrusion 54b rises to the outer surface of the inner wall 42 (see Figure 8 In this state, the dimension (P1+P2+P3) obtained by adding the protruding length P1 of the detection protrusion 54c to the thickness dimension P2 of the locking piece body 54a and the protruding length P3 of the locking protrusion 54b is greater than the dimension (L2+L3) obtained by adding the gap dimension L3 between the outer wall 36 and the inner wall 42 to the thickness dimension L2 of the outer wall 36.

[0080] Thus, whether the locked state is appropriate or not can be easily detected based on whether the detection protrusion 54 c protrudes from the outer wall 36 .

[0081] Furthermore, the protruding length of the detection protrusion 54c is preferably set to a size such that the detection protrusion 54c is located inside the outer surface of the outer wall 36 when the locking convex portion 54b is normally locked with the locking concave portion 43.

[0082] For example, when the locking protrusion 54b is normally locked in the locking recess 43, the outer surface of the inner wall 42 is in contact with the inner surface of the locking piece body 54a (see Figure 6In this state, the protruding length P1 of the detection protrusion 54c is greater than the gap dimension L1 between the outer surface of the locking piece body 54a and the outer side wall 36, and less than the dimension (L1+L2) obtained by adding the thickness dimension L2 of the outer side wall 36 to L1.

[0083] Thus, by confirming whether the detection protrusion 54 c protrudes from the outer surface of the outer wall 36 , it is possible to easily detect whether the locked state is appropriate.

[0084] In addition, the locking piece 54 further includes an anti-wobbling protrusion 54d which protrudes from the locking piece body 54a toward the outer wall 36 and presses against the inner surface of the outer wall when the locking piece 54 is arranged between the outer wall 36 and the inner wall 42 .

[0085] The position of the anti-shake protrusion 54d is arbitrary, but preferably a position away from the inner side of the locking protrusion 54b. In the present embodiment, it is formed in the locking piece body 54a at a position closer to the base end than the locking protrusion 54b. Therefore, when the locking protrusion 54b rises to the outer surface of the inner wall 42, the anti-shake protrusion 54d can be in a state before contacting the outer wall 36, and it is not easy to hinder the movement of the locking piece body 54a to deform outward.

[0086] In order to prevent the detection protrusion 54c from entering the detection opening 37h1, the detection protrusion 54c and the anti-loosening protrusion 54d are preferably located at different positions in a direction intersecting the insertion direction of the detection protrusion 54c.

[0087] In this embodiment, the detection protrusion 54c is formed on the side edge of the upper side of the locking piece body 54a, and the anti-shake protrusion 54d is formed at a position away from the detection protrusion 54c downward, which is the middle part of the locking piece body 54a in the vertical direction.

[0088] The anti-shaking protrusion 54d has a guide surface 54df, and the protruding length of the guide surface 54df gradually decreases toward the end side of the locking piece body 54a. When the locking piece body 54a is inserted deep between the outer wall 36 and the inner wall 42, the guide surface 54df contacts the edge of the outer wall 36. Therefore, the anti-shaking protrusion 54d can smoothly enter the inner side of the outer wall 36 without stopping at the edge of the outer wall 36.

[0089] The protruding dimension of the anti-wobbling protrusion 54 d may be set to a size that allows the locking piece body 54 a to reach the inner surface of the outer wall 36 when the locking piece body 54 a enters between the outer wall 36 and the inner wall 42 .

[0090] In addition, in the present embodiment, locking protrusions 38P are formed on both sides of the wire lead-out storage section 38. Locking pieces 58 are formed on both sides of the portion of the second housing 50 that covers the wire lead-out storage section 38, and the locking piece 58 has a locking recess 58a. When the first housing 30 and the second housing 50 are combined, the locking protrusions 38P are locked to the locking recess 58a of the locking piece 58, and the first housing 30 and the second housing 50 are also kept in the combined state. In addition, the locking protrusions 38P and the locking piece 58 may be omitted.

[0091] <Example of checking the appropriateness of the combination operation and the locking state> An example of an operation for detecting the appropriateness of the locked state during the operation of combining the first housing 30 and the second housing 50 will be described.

[0092] In a state where the terminal core unit 22 and the electric wires 16 are assembled in the first housing 30 , the second housing 50 is combined with the first housing 30 .

[0093] During the assembly operation, the pair of locking pieces 54 are inserted between the outer wall 36 and the inner wall 42. Then, the guide surface 54bf of the locking protrusion 54b contacts the rear end edge of the inner wall 42, and the locking piece body 54a is elastically deformed outward. When the pair of locking pieces 54 are further inserted into the depth, the locking protrusion 54b moves toward the depth along the outer surface of the inner wall 42. When the locking protrusion 54b reaches the locking recess 43, the locking protrusion 54b enters the locking recess 43, and the locking piece body 54a elastically returns to its original shape.

[0094] When the locking protrusion 54b is normally locked in the locking recess 43, the detection protrusion 54c is located inside the detection opening 37h1 and does not protrude from the outer wall 36 (see FIG. Figure 2 and Figure 6 ) By confirming that the detection protrusion 54c is located in the detection opening 37h1 and does not protrude from the outer wall 36, it is detected that the locked state is normal.

[0095] At the later stage of the insertion of the locking piece 54, the guide surface 54df of the anti-wobbling protrusion 54d contacts the rear end edge of the outer wall 36, and the anti-wobbling protrusion 54d enters the inner side of the outer wall 36. As a result, the locking piece 54 is pressed in the direction away from the outer wall 36, and the shaking between the first housing 30 and the second housing 50 is prevented. In addition, since the anti-wobbling protrusion 54d pushes the locking piece 54 toward the inner wall 42, it is easy to maintain the locked state of the locking protrusion 54b and the locking recess 43.

[0096] In the case where the locking state of the locking protrusion 54b and the locking recess 43 is abnormal, it is assumed that the locking protrusion 54b contacts the outer surface of the inner wall 42 around the locking recess 43. In this case, since the locking piece body 54a is in a state of elastic deformation in a direction away from the inner wall 42, the detection protrusion 54c is located outside the detection opening 37h1 than in the above state. Here, the detection protrusion 54c protrudes outside the outer surface of the outer wall 36 (refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 ). Therefore, by confirming from the outside of the connector 20 that the detection protrusion 54c protrudes from the outer wall 36, it is detected that the locked state is abnormal.

[0097] For example, Fig. 9 As shown, an inspection jig 60 can also be used to perform abnormal detection. The inspection jig 60, for example, has an assembly surface 62, and the assembly surface 62 can accommodate the surrounding portion of the detection protrusion 54c in the outer surface of the connector 20. When the locking state is normal, the connector 20 can be assembled on the above-mentioned assembly surface 62 because the detection protrusion 54c does not protrude to the outer surface of the connector 20. When the locking state is abnormal, the detection protrusion 54c protrudes from the outer surface of the connector 20. Therefore, when the connector 20 is to be assembled on the above-mentioned assembly surface 62, the detection protrusion 54c interferes with the assembly surface 62, and the connector 20 cannot be assembled on the assembly surface 62. Therefore, according to whether the connector 20 can be assembled on the inspection jig 60, the appropriateness of the locking state can be detected.

[0098] The state of the detection protrusion 54c may be detected visually, by touch with hands, etc., by image processing based on an image of the detection protrusion 54c, or by a sensor that physically detects the state of the detection protrusion 54c.

[0099] exist Figure 7 In the embodiment, even if the locking projection 38P is normally locked to the locking piece 58, the locking projection 54b may be abnormally locked to the locking recess 43. In the present embodiment, this abnormal locked state can be easily detected.

[0100] <Effects, etc.> According to the connector 20 constructed as above, the locking piece body 54a is formed with the locking protrusion 54b, and the locking recess 43 is formed on the inner wall 42, and the locking protrusion 54b is locked in the locking recess 43. In addition, the outer wall 36 is formed with a detection opening 37h1 in which the detection protrusion 54c is arranged. Therefore, in the case where the locking protrusion 54b cannot be normally locked in the locking recess 43, the locking piece body 54a is elastically deformed toward the outer wall 36 side, and the detection protrusion 54c is located outside the normal locking state. According to the position of the detection protrusion 54c in the detection opening 37h1, it is easy to detect whether the locking state is appropriate.

[0101] In addition, if the protruding length of the detection protrusion 54c is set to a size that protrudes outward from the outer wall 36 when the locked state is abnormal, the appropriateness of the locked state can be easily detected by confirming the protruding length of the detection protrusion 54c protruding from the outer wall 36.

[0102] In addition, if the protruding length of the detection protrusion 54c is set to a size that allows the detection protrusion 54c to be located inside the outer surface of the outer wall 36 when the locking state is normal, the appropriateness of the locking state can be easily detected by whether the detection protrusion protrudes from the outer wall.

[0103] Furthermore, if the first housing 30 is a housing having the terminal housing portion 32 and the second housing 50 is a cover that closes the mounting opening 33 of the first housing 30 , it is easy to confirm whether the mounting opening 33 is properly closed by the cover mounted in the normal detection state.

[0104] In addition, the locking piece 54 includes a shaking prevention protrusion 54d, and in the locked state, the shaking prevention protrusion 54d is pressed against the inner surface of the outer wall 36. Therefore, shaking of the first housing 30 and the second housing 50 can be suppressed. In addition, the shaking prevention protrusion 54d pushes the locking piece 54 toward the inner wall 42, thereby also helping the locking protrusion 54b and the locking recess 43 to maintain the locked state.

[0105] In addition, the anti-wobbling protrusion 54d is formed on the locking piece body 54a at the base end side of the locking convex portion 54b, so after the locking convex portion 54b is locked in the locking recess 43, the anti-wobbling protrusion 54d can be pressed against the outer wall 36. Thus, the anti-wobbling protrusion 54d can prevent wobbling without hindering the operability of the locking convex portion 54b being locked in the locking recess 43.

[0106] In addition, the detection protrusion 54c and the anti-sway protrusion 54d are located at different positions in a direction intersecting the insertion direction of the detection protrusion 54c. Therefore, while the anti-sway protrusion suppresses the shaking, the appropriateness of the locking state of the detection protrusion 54c can be easily detected.

[0107] In addition, the detection opening 37h1 is formed at a position opposite to the connecting wall portion 41Ra in the outer wall 36, and the detection protrusion 54c is arranged in the detection opening 37h1 outside the connecting wall portion 41Ra. Therefore, even if a force is applied to the periphery of the detection opening 37h1 and the detection protrusion 54c when the connector 20 is plugged in or out, the first housing 30 and the second housing 50 are not easily deformed and the combined state is not easily released.

[0108] In addition, the detection protrusion 54c is formed into a slender convex shape along the protruding direction of the locking piece body 54a, so the detection protrusion 54c can be thinned, thereby reducing the opening width of the detection opening 37h1. As a result, it is easy to ensure the strength of the outer wall 36. In addition, by making the detection protrusion 54c slender, it is also easy to ensure the strength of the detection protrusion 54c.

[0109] In addition, the detection protrusion 54c protrudes toward the outer wall 36 at least at the distal end of the locking piece body 54a, so when the locking state is abnormal, the detection protrusion 54c can be displaced greatly outward, thereby making it easy to detect the abnormal locking state.

[0110] [Modifications] In the embodiment, the combined structure of the first housing 30 having the terminal receiving portion and the second housing 50 as the cover is described. The engaging structure described in the present embodiment is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be applied to various connectors having a combined structure of multiple housings. For example, the combined structure of a housing body having a cavity for receiving the terminal and a stopper or a cover combined with the housing body can also be applied to the above engaging structure as long as it has an inner wall and an outer wall.

[0111] In addition, the first housing 30 may include only one outer wall. In addition, the first housing 30 may include only one inner wall. The first housing 30 may include walls inside the inner wall or outside the outer wall.

[0112] In this embodiment, an example is described in which the locking protrusion 54b is formed on the locking piece body 54a, and the locking recess 43 is formed on the inner wall 42. However, a locking protrusion protruding outward may be formed on the inner wall, and a locking recess to which the locking protrusion can be locked may be formed on the locking piece body.

[0113] In addition, the respective configurations described in the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications can be appropriately combined as long as they do not contradict each other. Description of Reference Numerals

[0114] 12 terminals 16 Wire 20 Connectors 22 terminal core unit 24 Terminal retainer 30 1st shell (shell) 31 Divider Wall 32 Terminal storage area 33 Assembly opening 34 Outer tube 34F Connector connection outer end 34Fa Locking Plate 34R Outer storage end 36 Outer wall (outer wall) 37h1 Detection opening 38 Wire lead storage section 38P locking protrusion 39 Lead-out terminal 40 Inner tube 41F Connector connection inner end 41R Inner storage end 41Ra Connecting wall 42 inner wall (inner wall) 43 Locking recess 50 Second housing (housing) 52 Cover body 54 Stopper 54a Locking piece body 54b Locking protrusion 54bf Guide surface 54c Detection protrusion 54d Anti-shake protrusion 54df Guide surface 58 Stopper 58a retaining recess 60 Inspection fixture 62 Mounting surface

Claims

1. A connector having a housing-type integrated structure, The connector has: A first housing including an outer wall and an inner wall located on an inner side of the outer wall; and The second shell is combined with the first shell, The second housing has a locking piece, the locking piece includes a locking piece body and a detection protrusion, the locking piece body is arranged between the outer wall and the inner wall, and the detection protrusion protrudes from the locking piece body toward the outer wall. A locking protrusion is formed on one of the locking piece body and the inner wall, and a locking recess is formed on the other, and the locking protrusion is locked in the locking recess. The outer wall is formed with a detection opening in which the detection protrusion is arranged.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The protruding length of the detection protrusion is set to a size that the detection protrusion protrudes outward from the outer wall when the locking state of the locking convex portion with respect to the locking concave portion is abnormal.

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein: The protruding length of the detection protrusion is set to a size that allows the detection protrusion to be located inside the outer surface of the outer wall when the locking convex portion is normally locked with respect to the locking concave portion.

4. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The first housing has a terminal housing portion for housing a terminal, wherein the terminal has a wire connecting portion and a connecting portion with a terminal on the other side, and the wire connecting portion side of the terminal housing portion is open. The second housing is a cover that closes the opening of the first housing.

5. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The locking piece further includes an anti-wobbling protrusion, which protrudes from the locking piece body toward the outer wall and presses against the inner surface of the outer wall when the locking piece body is disposed between the outer wall and the inner wall.

6. The connector according to claim 5, wherein: The anti-loosening protrusion is formed on the locking piece body at a base end side of the locking convex portion or the locking concave portion.

7. The connector according to claim 5, wherein: The detection protrusion and the anti-loosening protrusion are located at different positions in a direction intersecting with an insertion direction of the detection protrusion.

8. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The outer wall includes a pair of outer side walls, The inner wall includes a pair of inner side walls, the pair of inner side walls are located inside the pair of outer side walls and connected by a connecting wall portion, The detection opening is formed at a position of the outer wall facing the connecting wall portion. The detection protrusion is arranged in the detection opening outside the connection wall.

9. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The detection protrusion is formed in an elongated convex shape along a protruding direction of the locking piece body.

10. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The detection protrusion protrudes toward the outer wall at least at a distal end of the locking piece body.

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