Connector

Abstract

The invention provides a connector which can prevent terminal fittings from being worn when vibration is applied to an electric wire. A connector (10) is provided with a housing (20) that can be fitted to a mating connector (100). The housing (20) has a plurality of cavities (23) capable of housing the terminal fittings (90). The cavities (23) are arranged inside the housing (20) so as to be aligned in the width direction intersecting the direction in which the housing (20) and the mating connector (100) are fitted. The housing (20) has a center-side locking part (35) which is positioned on the center side in the width direction and which holds the fitting state of the housing (20) and the mating connector (100), and end-side locking parts (36) which are positioned on both end sides in the width direction and which hold the fitting state of the housing (20) and the mating connector (100).

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for fastening a pair of connector housings together using a nut member. Patent document 2 discloses a connector having a first housing and a second housing that can be interlocked with each other. A first terminal part is accommodated in the first housing. A locking arm that can be elastically deformed is formed in the first housing. A second terminal part that can be connected to the first terminal part is accommodated in the second housing. A locking portion that can be locked to the locking arm is formed in the second housing. The locking portion is locked to the locking arm, so that the first housing and the second housing are maintained in an interlocking state.

[0003] Patent Document 3 discloses a movable plate disposed movably inside a male connector. Similarly, Patent Document 4 discloses a movable plate disposed movably inside a cover. Prior art literature Patent Literature

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-134190 Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-201331 Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-86478 Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-241253 Summary of the invention Problems to be solved by the invention

[0005] In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, due to the fact that the nut member is assembled to the housing, etc., there are many structural constraints and lack of versatility. In contrast, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 2 is a general structure in which the locking part is locked in the locking arm, and has high versatility. However, in the case where a plurality of wires are led out from the first housing in a row in the width direction, if vibration is applied to the connector, the led-out wires may vibrate in the width direction with the locking arm and the locking part of the locking part (the central part in the width direction of the first housing) as a fulcrum. If the wires vibrate in the width direction, it is possible that the first housing and the second housing may shake within the range of the mutual fitting gap (clearance), and the first terminal part and the second terminal part may slide against each other and wear.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector capable of preventing a terminal component from being worn when vibration is applied to an electric wire. Solutions to Solve Problems

[0007] The connector of the present invention comprises a shell that can be mated with a counterpart connector, the shell having a plurality of cavities that can accommodate terminal parts, the plurality of cavities being arranged inside the shell along a width direction that intersects with the mating direction of the shell and the counterpart connector, the shell also having a central side locking portion and an end side locking portion, the central side locking portion being located on the central side of the shell in the width direction to maintain the mating state of the shell and the counterpart connector, and the end side locking portions being located on both end sides of the shell in the width direction to maintain the mating state of the shell and the counterpart connector. Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector capable of preventing a terminal component from being worn when vibration is applied to an electric wire. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 It is a plan view showing a state in which the housing and the mating connector of the connector according to the first embodiment are maintained in a fitted state. Figure 2 The connector of the first embodiment Figure 1 AA line section view. Figure 3 The connector of the first embodiment Figure 1 BB line cross-sectional view. Figure 4 The connector of the first embodiment Figure 1 CC line section view. Figure 5 This is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of a portion cut at a position where a plate locking portion engages a plate locked portion in the connector according to the first embodiment. Figure 6 This is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the movable plate is arranged at a protection position relative to the housing in the connector according to the first embodiment. Figure 7 This is a front view of a mating connector that is a mating partner of the connector according to the first embodiment. Figure 8 This is a front view of the housing in the connector according to the first embodiment. Fig. 9 This is a plan view of the movable plate in the connector according to the first embodiment. Fig.10 This is a front view of the movable plate in the connector according to the first embodiment. Fig.11 This is a rear view of the movable plate in the connector according to the first embodiment. Fig.12 This is an exploded perspective view of the connector according to the first embodiment. 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 housing capable of being mated with a mating connector, the housing having a plurality of cavities capable of accommodating terminal parts, the plurality of cavities being arranged inside the housing along a width direction intersecting a mating direction between the housing and the mating connector, the housing further comprising a center locking portion and an end locking portion, the center locking portion being located at a center side of the housing in the width direction to maintain the housing in a mating state with the mating connector, and the end locking portions being located at both end sides of the housing in the width direction to maintain the housing in a mating state with the mating connector.

[0011] According to the structure of (1) above, when vibration in the width direction is applied to the connector, the end side locking parts located at both ends of the shell in the width direction can absorb part of the vibration force, so that the central side locking part can be prevented from becoming the vibration fulcrum of the shell. Thus, through the interaction between the central side locking part and the end side locking part, the mating state of the shell and the other connector can be maintained without shaking.

[0012] (2) In the connector described in (1) above, it is preferred that the central side locking portion and the central side locked portion serving as a locking object of the central side locking portion are locked in a state where movement in the width direction is restricted, and the end side locking portion and the end side locked portion serving as a locking object of the end side locking portion are locked in a state where movement in the width direction is restricted.

[0013] According to the structure of (2) above, it is possible to more reliably suppress the housing from rattling in the width direction relative to the mating connector.

[0014] (3) In the connector described in (1) or (2) above, it is preferred that the end side locked portion is provided on a movable plate, the movable plate is movably arranged inside the cover portion of the shell, the movable plate has a plate locking portion independent of the end side locked portion, and the plate locking portion is locked to the counterpart connector when the shell and the counterpart connector are in a mating state.

[0015] According to the structure of (3) above, the other connector is locked to the movable plate by the plate locking portion, and the end side locking portion of the movable plate can maintain the mating state with the housing. Therefore, the structure corresponding to the end side locking portion can be omitted from the other connector, and the complexity of the structure of the other connector can be avoided.

[0016] (4) In the connector described in (3) above, preferably, a plurality of the plate locking portions are arranged on the movable plate at intervals in the width direction.

[0017] According to the structure of (4) above, the other connector can be prevented from shaking relative to the movable plate in the width direction, and the function of preventing the housing from shaking relative to the other connector can be ensured.

[0018] (5) In the connector described in any one of (1) to (4) above, preferably, the shell has a wire lead-out surface arranged toward the rear in a direction opposite to the direction of engagement with the other connector, the wires connected to the terminal parts are led out toward the rear from the wire lead-out surface, and the end side locking portion is arranged more rearward than the center side locking portion.

[0019] According to the structure of (5) above, when the wires drawn out from the wire drawing surface of the housing vibrate in the width direction, the end-side locking portion located near the wires drawn out can effectively prevent the vibration of the wires compared to the central-side locking portion. As a result, the housing can be more reliably prevented from shaking in the width direction relative to the other connector.

[0020] [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.

[0021] <Implementation Method 1> like Fig.12 As shown, the connector 10 of the first embodiment includes a housing 20 and a movable plate 50 movably mounted on the housing 20. Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the housing 20 can be mated with the mating connector 100. The terminal parts 90 are accommodated inside the housing 20. In the following description, regarding the front-back direction, the direction in which the connector 10 and the mating connector 100 face each other at the beginning of mating (the direction toward the mating side) is referred to as the front. The up-down direction is denoted by Figure 1 and Fig. 9 The vertical direction of the figures other than the vertical direction is used as the reference. The vertical direction is sometimes called the height direction. The left and right direction is based on Figure 4 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 , Fig.10 and Fig.11 The left-right direction is sometimes referred to as the width direction. The reference of these directions is not necessarily the same as the reference of the direction when the connector 10 is mounted on a vehicle (not shown). Figures 1 to 3 In the figure, the front with reference to the connector 10 is denoted by X, the right is denoted by Y, and the top is denoted by Z.

[0022] (Mating connector 100) The mating connector 100 is a female connector and includes a mating housing 120 as a female housing. The mating housing 120 is made of synthetic resin and has a square shape. Figure 7 As shown, a plurality of counterpart cavities 121 are formed in the counterpart housing 120. Each counterpart cavity 121 is arranged in a plurality of rows in the width direction and in a plurality of layers in the height direction inside the counterpart housing 120, and in the case of the present embodiment 1, is arranged in two layers, one upper layer and one lower layer. The counterpart housing 120 has a pair of plate locking receiving parts 122 along the width direction between each upper and lower counterpart cavity 121. Each plate locking receiving part 122 opens in the front surface of the counterpart housing 120 in an opening shape extending long in the width direction. In addition, each plate locking receiving part 122 is in a shape that is deeply recessed from the front surface of the counterpart housing 120 toward the rear. The upper surface (the surface facing downward) and the lower surface (the surface facing upward) of the inner wall of each plate locking receiving part 122 are flat surfaces along the left-right direction and are arranged parallel to each other. The counterpart housing 120 has a plate locked part 123 protruding from the upper surface of the inner wall of each plate locking receiving part 122. Each plate locked part 123 is in a rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction. As shown Figure 5 As shown, the front surface of the plate locked portion 123 is inclined toward the rear. The rear surface of the plate locked portion 123 stands vertically in the up-down direction. The plate locking portion 52 of the movable plate 50 described later faces the rear surface of the plate locked portion 123 and can be locked.

[0023] like Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , a central locking portion 124 is protrudingly formed at the left and right central portions of the upper surface of the counterpart housing 120. The central locking portion 124 is a so-called locking arm. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the housing 120 has an elastically deformable arm 125 that rises from the front end of the upper surface of the other housing 120 and extends rearward, and a locking protrusion 126 that protrudes upward from the front and rear center of the arm 125. The locking protrusion 126 is opposed to and can be locked with the central side locking portion 35 of the housing 20 described later. Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , a plurality of recesses 127 for preventing mis-engagement are formed on the lower surface of the counterpart housing 120. Figure 4 As shown, each of the incorrect fitting prevention recessed portions 127 can be fitted with an incorrect fitting prevention convex portion 31 of the housing 20 to be described later.

[0024] like Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the counterpart terminal part 190 is inserted from the rear into the counterpart cavity 121 of the counterpart housing 120. The counterpart terminal part 190 is made of conductive metal and has a cylindrical connection portion 191. When the counterpart housing 120 and the housing 20 are engaged, the later-described protrusion 92 of the terminal part 90 is inserted into the connection portion 191, and the terminal part 90 is electrically connected to the counterpart terminal part 190. The rear portion of the counterpart terminal part 190 is soldered to a circuit substrate not shown in the figure and electrically connected.

[0025] (Housing 20 and terminal parts 90) The housing 20 is made of synthetic resin, such as Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , the overall shape is a horizontally long shape in which the width dimension in the left-right direction is larger than the height dimension in the up-down direction. The housing 20 has a block-shaped housing body 21 and a square tube-shaped cover 22 protruding forward from the housing body 21. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the counterpart housing 120 is embedded in the cover portion 22 .

[0026] like Figure 8 As shown, a plurality of cavities 23 are formed in the shell body 21. Each cavity 23 is arranged in a plurality of rows in the width direction and in a plurality of layers in the height direction in a manner corresponding to each other cavity 121, and is arranged in two layers in the upper and lower layers in the case of the first embodiment. A lance 24 capable of elastic deformation is protrudingly formed on the upper surface (the surface facing downward) of the inner wall of each cavity 23. A pair of recesses 25 are formed at intervals in the upper and lower directions on the front surface of the shell body 21 (also the inner bottom surface of the cover portion 22). Each recess 25 is recessed in the front surface of the shell body 21 over the entire width in the left-right direction. Each lance 24 is visibly exposed through the recess 25.

[0027] The terminal part 90 is made of conductive metal and is configured as a male terminal. Figure 3 As shown, the terminal part 90 has a cylindrical terminal body 91, a protrusion 92 protruding forward from the terminal body 91, and a barrel 93 located behind the terminal body 91. The barrel 93 is electrically and mechanically connected to the terminal end of the wire W. The terminal body 91 is stopped by the lance 24. The terminal part 90 is primarily restricted by the lance 24 from falling out of the cavity 23 to the rear. In addition, the terminal part 90 is also stopped by the retaining body 30 installed on the shell body 21, thereby being secondarily restricted from falling out of the cavity 23 to the rear. As shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown, the tab 92 is configured to protrude into the interior of the cover portion 22 .

[0028] The rear end of each cavity 23 opens at the rear surface of the housing body 21. Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 2 , the rear surface of the housing body 21 is configured as a wire lead-out surface 26 for leading out the wires W connected to the terminal parts 90. Figure 1 As shown, the wire lead-out surface 26 is an end surface that is long in the left-right direction. The wires W are led out from the wire lead-out surface 26 in a row in the left-right direction.

[0029] like Figure 8As shown, the cover portion 22 has an upper wall 27 and a lower wall 28 that are opposite to each other in the up-down direction, and a pair of side walls 29 that are opposite to each other in the left-right direction. The upper wall 27 and the lower wall 28 are arranged along the left-right direction. Each side wall 29 is arranged along the up-down direction. A plurality of mis-engagement prevention protrusions 31 are formed on the inner surface of the lower wall 28. When the housing 20 and the counterpart housing 120 obtain a correct engagement posture, each mis-engagement prevention protrusion 31 is engaged with the inside of each mis-engagement prevention recess 127. When the housing 20 and the counterpart housing 120 obtain an incorrect engagement posture such as up-down inversion, each mis-engagement prevention protrusion 31 is restricted from engaging with each mis-engagement prevention recess 127. In this way, mis-engagement of the housing 20 and the counterpart housing 120 can be prevented.

[0030] like Figure 8 As shown, guide portions 32 are recessed at both left and right end portions of the inner surfaces of the upper wall 27 and the lower wall 28 of the cover portion 22. Figure 3 As shown, each guide portion 32 extends in the front-to-back direction and opens at the front end of the cover portion 22. Figure 8 As shown, the guide portion 32 of the upper wall 27 is formed between the guide ribs 33 opposite to each other in the left-right direction on the inner surface of the upper wall 27. The guide portion 32 of the upper wall 27 is closed by the rib 37, and the rib 37 connects the rear ends of the guide ribs 33 opposite to each other in the left-right direction (refer to Figure 3 ).

[0031] like Figure 8 As shown, a base portion 34 is formed at the left and right central portions of the upper wall 27 of the cover portion 22, the base portion 34 having a larger thickness in the vertical direction than the left and right end portions of the upper wall 27. Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, a central locking portion 35 is formed on the upper wall 27 of the cover portion 22 and penetrates the base 34 in the vertical direction (the thickness direction of the upper wall 27). Figure 1 As shown, the central locking portion 35 is opened in a rectangular opening shape in a plan view at a position near the front end and at the left and right center of the upper wall 27. Specifically, the central locking portion 35 is in a transversely long opening shape in which the opening width in the left-right direction is larger than the opening length in the front-back direction. The locking protrusion 126 of the central locked portion 124 can be engaged with the central locking portion 35 in a state where the position is restricted in the left-right direction (a state where the displacement is restricted).

[0032] In addition, if Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, a pair of end-side locking portions 36 are formed on the upper wall 27 of the cover portion 22 and penetrate the left and right end portions of the upper wall 27 in the up-down direction. Figure 1As shown, each end side locking portion 36 opens in a rectangular opening shape that is close to a square when viewed from above at the left and right ends of the upper wall 27 and near the rear end. Specifically, each end side locking portion 36 has an opening shape in which the opening length in the front-to-back direction is slightly larger than the opening width in the left-to-right direction. In addition, each end side locking portion 36 is arranged behind each guide portion 32 of the upper wall 27. Figure 3 As shown, the front surface (the surface facing the front and rear) of the end locking portion 36 is defined by the rib 37. The end locked portion 59 of the movable plate 50 described later can be fitted with the end locking portion 36 in a state where the position is restricted in the left-right direction.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown in the figure, a board stopper 38 is formed on each side wall 29 of the cover portion 22, which penetrates the side wall 29 in the left-right direction (the thickness direction of the side wall 29). Each board stopper 38 is arranged at the front and rear center side of each side wall 29. Although not shown in detail, each board stopper 38 extends in the up-down direction, and the upper end is opened on the upper surface of the cover portion 22. The board stopper 58 of the movable plate 50 described later can be stopped by the board stopper 38.

[0034] (Moving plate 50) The movable plate 50 is made of synthetic resin and can be in the protection position (refer to Figure 6 ) and the mating position (refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 ) are movably mounted on the housing 20. Fig.10 As shown, the movable plate 50 has a plate body 51 having a rectangular shape in a main view and a pair of left and right plate locking portions 52 protruding forward from the front surface of the plate body 51, and the plate body 51 has a thickness in the front-to-back direction. Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, the movable plate 50 has a pair of upper and lower protrusions 53 protruding rearward from the rear surface of the plate body 51 .

[0035] like Fig.10 and Fig.11 As shown, a plurality of insertion holes 54 are formed in the plate body 51. The insertion holes 54 are arranged in a plurality of rows in the width direction and in a plurality of layers in the height direction inside the plate body 51 so as to correspond to the cavities 23. In the case of the first embodiment, the insertion holes 54 are arranged in two layers, one above the other.

[0036] like Fig.10 As shown, each insertion hole 54 has a square opening shape when viewed from the front. The protrusion 92 of each terminal component 90 is inserted into each insertion hole 54 in a positioned state (see Figure 5 and Figure 6 ).like Fig.10As shown in the figure, thin-walled portions 55 thinner than adjacent portions are formed at both left and right ends of the plate body 51. The thin-walled portion 55 is in a square C-shape (concave shape) when viewed from the front, and has an up-down extension portion 56 extending in the up-down direction at the left and right outer ends of the plate body 51, and a left-right extension portion 57 extending in the left-right inner ends of the upper and lower ends of the plate body 51. The thin-walled portion 55 is thinned by concavely forming the corresponding portions (up-down extension portion 56 and left-right extension portion 57) of the front surface of the plate body 51, and can be elastically deformed in the up-down direction and left-right direction.

[0037] A pair of plate-engaged stoppers 58 are protrudingly formed on the end surfaces of the left and right sides of the plate body 51. Each plate-engaged stopper 58 is in a rectangular shape that is long in the vertical direction when viewed from the front, and can be fitted inside the plate-engaged stopper 38 in the protection position. The upper and lower extensions 56 of the thin-walled portion 55 are arranged on the left and right inner sides of each plate-engaged stopper 58. Each plate-engaged stopper 58 can be displaced to the left and right inner sides along with the elastic deformation of the upper and lower extensions 56 of the thin-walled portion 55.

[0038] A pair of end-side locked portions 59 are protrudingly formed at the left and right ends of the upper end surface of the plate body 51. Each end-side locked portion 59 is rectangular in shape and is long in the left-right direction when viewed from the front, and can be fitted into the inside of each end-side locking portion 36 at the fitting position. Figure 3 As shown, the front surface of the end-side locked portion 59 is tilted backward. The rear surface of the end-side locked portion 59 is tilted forward. The left and right end surfaces of the end-side locked portion 59 are arranged along the front-to-back direction and the up-down direction, and are in parallel contact with or close to the left and right surfaces (left-to-right opposing surfaces) of the inner wall of the end-side locking portion 36 (refer to Figure 1 ). The left and right extensions 57 of the thin-walled portion 55 are arranged on the upper and lower inner sides of each end-side locking portion 36. Each end-side locked portion 59 can be displaced upward and downward inwardly with the elastic deformation of the left and right extensions 57 of the thin-walled portion 55. In addition, the end-side locked portion 59 can be fitted into the inside of the guide portion 32 of the upper wall 27 during the movement of the movable plate 50.

[0039] like Fig.10 As shown, a pair of engaging protrusions 61 are formed on the upper end surface of the plate body 51 at positions closer to the left and right inner sides than the locked portions 59 at the end sides and closer to the left and right outer sides than the left and right center. Each engaging protrusion 61 is engaged with a space formed between each guide rib 33 and the base 34 at the left and right center of the cover 22 (see Figure 4 ).

[0040] A pair of guided portions 62 are protrudingly formed at the left and right ends of the lower end surface of the plate body 51. The guided portions 62 have the same shape as the end-side locked portions 59. Figure 4 As shown, it can be fitted inside the guide portion 32 of the lower wall 28.

[0041] like Figure 3 and Fig.11 As shown in FIG. 1 , the plate body 51 is provided with an introduction portion 63 that is widely expanded from the rear end of the insertion hole 54 to the rear surface of the plate body 51. The introduction portion 63 is formed from the plate body 51 to the convex portion 53. The upper end of the introduction portion 63 is formed by cutting the convex portion 53. Figure 5 As shown, in the mating position, the root portion of the protrusion 92 is arranged inside the introduction portion 63.

[0042] The convex parts 53 are arranged in pairs at intervals in the vertical direction on the rear surface of the plate body 51. Each convex part 53 is provided to protrude over the entire width in the left-right direction on the rear surface of the plate body 51. Each convex part 53 is arranged to enter the inside of each concave part 25.

[0043] like Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown, the panel locking portions 52 are arranged in pairs at positions spaced apart in the left-right direction on the front surface of the panel body 51. The panel locking portions 52 are arranged so as to enter the interior of the panel locking receiving portions 122 when the housing 20 and the mating housing 120 are mated (see Figure 2 ).

[0044] like Fig.10 As shown, the upper surface and the lower surface of each plate locking portion 52 are arranged along the left-right direction. Fig. 9 As shown, each plate locking portion 52 is in the shape of a rectangular plate that is long in the front-to-back direction when viewed from above, and can be elastically deformed in the up-down direction with the front surface of the plate body 51 as a fulcrum. A locking hole 64 is formed through each plate locking portion 52 in the up-down direction (in the thickness direction of the plate locking portion 52). The locking hole 64 is in the shape of a rectangular opening that is close to a square or a square when viewed from above. Figure 5 As shown, the plate locked portion 123 can be fitted into the interior of the locking hole 64 .

[0045] (Function of connector 10) During assembly, the movable plate 50 is inserted from the front into the interior of the cover 22. During the insertion of the movable plate 50, each guided portion 62 is inserted into each guide portion 32 of the lower wall 28 in a fitted state, and each end side locked portion 59 is inserted into each guide portion 32 of the upper wall 27, thereby guiding the assembly of the movable plate 50. In addition, each plate-locking portion 58 slides on the inner surface of each side wall 29 of the cover 22 while the upper and lower extending portions 56 of each thin-walled portion 55 are elastically deformed.

[0046] When the movable plate 50 is in the protection position, the upper and lower extensions 56 of each thin-walled portion 55 are elastically restored, and each plate-locking stopper 58 is embedded in each plate-locking stopper 38 from the left and right inner sides. Thus, the movement of the movable plate 50 in the forward and backward directions is restricted. Figure 6As shown, the plate body 51 is arranged in the protection position away from the front surface (inner bottom surface of the cover 22) of the housing body 21. The distal end of the protrusion 92 of each terminal fitting 90 is inserted into each insertion hole 54 of the plate body 51 in a positioned state.

[0047] When the movable plate 50 is in the protection position, the counterpart housing 120 is inserted from the front into the inside of the cover 22. Here, if the counterpart housing 120 is inserted in an inclined posture relative to the cover 22, the counterpart housing 120 abuts against the end portion of each plate locking portion 52, thereby restricting the mating action of the counterpart housing 120. At this time, the end portion of the protrusion 92 of each terminal part 90 is set so as not to interfere with the counterpart housing 120 in an inclined posture.

[0048] When the other housing 120 is inserted in the correct posture relative to the cover 22, each plate locking portion 52 enters each plate locking receiving portion 122. Then, the other housing 120 contacts the front surface of the plate body 51, and the movable plate 50 is pressed by the other housing 120, and the locking of each plate stopper 58 and each plate stopper 38 is released. Then, by performing the mating action of the other housing 120 relative to the housing 20, the movable plate 50 moves together with the other housing 120 toward the mating position inside the cover 22.

[0049] Just before the movable plate 50 reaches the mating position, the locking protrusion 126 of the central locked portion 124 slides on the inclined surface of the inner surface of the base 34, and the arm portion 125 elastically deforms downward (in the height direction). In addition, each end locked portion 59 slides on the rib 37, and the left and right extension portions 57 of each thin-walled portion 55 also elastically deforms downward.

[0050] When the movable plate 50 reaches the mating position, the arm portion 125 elastically recovers, the locking protrusion 126 is embedded in the central locking portion 35 from below, and the housing 20 and the counterpart housing 120 are kept in a mating state at the central side in the width direction (refer to Figure 2 ). Similarly, the left and right extending portions 57 of each thin-walled portion 55 are elastically restored, and each end-side locked portion 59 is embedded in each end-side locking portion 36 from below (refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The plate locking portion 123 is inserted into the locking hole 64 of each plate locking portion 52, and the movable plate 50 and the counterpart housing 120 are kept in a state where relative displacement is restricted (see Figure 5 ). Therefore, the housing 20 and the counterpart housing 120 are also kept in the fitted state at both ends in the width direction.

[0051] When the housing 20 and the mating housing 120 are in the mating state, the protruding piece 92 of each terminal part 90 is inserted into the interior of the connecting portion 191 of each mating terminal part 190 at a regular depth (see Figure 3 and Figure 5), each terminal part 90 is electrically connected to each other terminal part 190. The plate body 51 contacts the front surface of the housing body 21 inside the cover part 22 and is arranged to be sandwiched between the housing body 21 and the other housing 120 (refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The convex portion 53 is disposed inside the concave portion 25 so as to face each lance-shaped portion 24 from the front.

[0052] However, when vibration is applied to the housing 20 and the mating housing 120 in the mating state, the wires W drawn out from the wire drawing surface 26 of the housing 20 may vibrate in the width direction (see FIG. Figure 1 In the case of the first embodiment, the end side locking portions 36 located at the left and right end portions of the mating state are locked to the end side locked portions 59, thereby preventing the vibration of the wires W and partially absorbing the vibration force. Therefore, the vibration force transmitted to the central side locking portion 35 located at the left and right central portions of the mating state can be significantly reduced. As a result, it is possible to avoid the vibration fulcrum of each wire W led out from the wire lead-out surface 26 from becoming the locked portion of the central side locking portion 35 and the central side locked portion 124, and the shaking of the housing 20 relative to the other housing 120 can be suppressed.

[0053] As described above, the connector 10 of the first embodiment includes a housing 20 that can be mated with the mating connector 100. The housing 20 includes a plurality of cavities 23 that can accommodate the terminal parts 90. The cavities 23 are arranged in the width direction inside the housing 20. The housing 20 also includes a central locking portion 35 and an end locking portion 36. The central locking portion 35 is located at the central side of the housing 20 in the width direction to maintain the mating state of the housing 20 and the mating connector 100, and the end locking portions 36 are located at both ends of the housing 20 in the width direction to maintain the mating state of the housing 20 and the mating connector 100. According to this structure, when vibration in the width direction is applied to the connector 10, the end locking portions 36 located at both ends of the housing 20 in the width direction can absorb a part of the vibration force, so that the central locking portion 35 can be prevented from becoming a vibration fulcrum of the housing 20. Thus, by the interaction between the central locking portion 35 and the end locking portion 36, the mating state of the housing 20 and the mating connector 100 can be maintained without shaking. As a result, the terminal fitting 90 can be prevented from being worn due to the vibration force of the electric wire W.

[0054] In the case of the first embodiment, the central locking portion 35 and the central locked portion 124 as the locking object of the central locking portion 35 are configured to be locked to each other in the height direction in a state where the movement in the width direction is restricted. The end locking portion 36 and the end locked portion 59 as the locking object of the end locking portion 36 are also configured to be locked to each other in the height direction in a state where the movement in the width direction is restricted. According to this structure, the housing 20 can be more reliably suppressed from shaking in the width direction relative to the mating connector 100.

[0055] In the case of the first embodiment, the end-side locked portion 59 is provided on the movable plate 50, and the movable plate 50 is movably arranged inside the cover portion 22 of the housing 20. In addition, the movable plate 50 has a plate locking portion 52 independent of the end-side locked portion 59, and the plate locking portion 52 is locked to the counterpart connector 100 when the housing 20 and the counterpart connector 100 are in the mating state. According to this structure, the counterpart connector 100 is locked to the movable plate 50 by the plate locking portion 52, and the mating state with the housing 20 can be maintained by the end-side locked portion 59 of the movable plate 50. As a result, the structure of the housing 20 side can be simplified.

[0056] The plate locking portions 52 are arranged in pairs at intervals in the width direction on the movable plate 50. This structure can suppress the mating connector 100 from rattling relative to the movable plate 50 in the width direction, thereby ensuring the function of suppressing rattling of the housing 20 relative to the mating connector 100.

[0057] Furthermore, in the case of the first embodiment, the wire lead-out surface 26 is formed on the rear surface of the housing 20, and the wires W connected to the terminal parts 90 are led out to the rear from the wire lead-out surface 26, and the end-side locking portions 36 are arranged more rearward than the center-side locking portion 35. According to this structure, when the wires W led out from the wire lead-out surface 26 of the housing 20 vibrate in the width direction, the end-side locking portions 36 located near the led-out wires W can effectively prevent the vibration of the wires W compared to the center-side locking portions 35. As a result, the housing 20 can be more reliably suppressed from shaking in the width direction relative to the counterpart connector 100.

[0058] [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 case of the first embodiment, one central locking portion 35 is formed in the central portion in the width direction of the housing 20. However, the central locking portion may be formed on the central side in the width direction of the housing (not limited to the exact central position in the width direction), for example, it may be formed in pairs on both sides of the housing separated by the central portion in the width direction. In the case of the first embodiment, the end side locking portions 36 are formed in pairs at both ends in the width direction of the housing 20. However, the end side locking portions only need to be formed at both ends in the width direction of the housing (parts close to both ends in the width direction except the center side in the width direction), and for example, a plurality of end side locking portions may be formed so that the distances from the center in the width direction are different. In the case of the above-mentioned embodiment 1, each end side locking part 36 is provided on the movable plate 50. However, each end side locking part may also be provided on the housing. In the case where each end side locking part is provided on the housing, each end side locked part as the locking object of each end side locking part may be provided on the other housing. In the case of the above-mentioned first embodiment, the center-side locking portion 35 is provided on the housing 20. However, the center-side locking portion may be provided on the movable plate. In the case of the above-mentioned first embodiment, the plate locking portions 52 are arranged in pairs at intervals in the width direction in the movable plate 50. However, three or more plate locking portions may be arranged at intervals in the width direction in the movable plate. In the case of the first embodiment, the central locking portion 35 and the end locking portion 36 are concave (in detail, hole-shaped), and the central locked portion 124 and the end locked portion 59 are convex. However, the central locking portion and the end locking portion may be convex, and the central locked portion and the end locked portion may be concave. Description of Reference Numerals

[0059] 10: Connector 20: Shell 21: Shell body 22: Hood 23: Cavity 24: Spear 25: Concave 26: Wire lead surface 27: Up the wall 28: Lower wall 29: Sidewall 30: Keep fit 31: Prevent misfitting of convex parts 32: Guidance 33: Guide ribs 34: Base 35: Central side locking part 36: End side locking part 37: Rib 38: Board stop 50: Moving board 51: Board body 52: Plate locking part 53: convex part 54: Insertion through-hole 55: Thin-walled part 56: Vertically extending part 57: Horizontally extending part 58: Board locking part 59: End-side locked part 61: Fitting protrusion 62: Guided part 63: Introduction part 64: Locking hole 90: Terminal part 91: Terminal body 92: Tab 93: Cylindrical part 100: Mate connector 120: Mate housing 121: Mate cavity 122: Board locking receiving part 123: Board locked part 124: Center-side locked part 125: Arm part 126: Locking protrusion 127: Anti-misinsertion recess 190: Mate terminal part 191: Connection part W: Electric wire

Claims

1. A connector having a housing that can be mated with a counterpart connector, The housing has a plurality of cavities capable of receiving terminal parts. The plurality of cavities are arranged in a row inside the housing along a width direction intersecting with a mating direction between the housing and the mating connector. The shell also has a central side locking portion and an end side locking portion. The central side locking portion is located on the central side of the shell in the width direction to maintain the engagement state of the shell and the counterpart connector. The end side locking portions are located on both end sides of the shell in the width direction to maintain the engagement state of the shell and the counterpart connector.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The central locking portion and the central locked portion as a locking object of the central locking portion are locked in a state where movement in the width direction is restricted. The end side locking portion and the end side locked portion, which is a locking target of the end side locking portion, are locked in a state where movement in the width direction is restricted.

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein: The end-side locked portion is provided on a movable plate, and the movable plate is movably arranged inside the cover portion of the housing. The movable plate includes a plate locking portion that is independent of the end-side locked portion, and the plate locking portion is locked to the mating connector when the housing and the mating connector are in a mating state.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein: A plurality of the plate locking portions are arranged on the movable plate at intervals in the width direction.

5. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The housing has a wire lead-out surface arranged toward the rear, which is a direction opposite to the mating direction with the mating connector, and the wires connected to the terminal parts are led out toward the rear from the wire lead-out surface. The end-side locking portion is arranged rearward of the center-side locking portion.

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