Connector

Abstract

The invention relates to a connector which can prevent a detection component from submerging below a locking arm and moving to a detection position improperly. The connector includes a housing having a lock arm extending rearward from an outer surface of the housing in a cantilevered manner, and a detection member including: a detection member main body; an elastic arm portion extending forward from the detection member main body in a cantilevered manner; and an abutting part which is formed at the extending end part of the elastic arm part and is clamped with the locking arm from the rear part so as to inhibit the movement from the initial position to the detection position, an excessive deflection inhibiting part is formed on the outer surface of the housing, and the excessive deflection inhibiting part is clamped with the extending end part of the locking arm so as to inhibit the excessive deflection of the locking arm so as to inhibit the movement from the initial position to the detection position. A protrusion is formed on at least one of the extended end portion of the lock arm and the excessive deflection suppressing portion, and the protrusion suppresses the forward movement of the lock arm by being engaged with the other when excessive deflection is suppressed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a connector. BACKGROUND

[0002] As a connector provided with a fitting detection function based on a detection member, a connector described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-99332 (Patent Literature 1) is known. The connector has a lock arm extending cantilevered rearward from a housing main body, and a detection member provided so as to advance from an initial position to a detection position. The detection member is configured to have an elastic arm portion extending cantilevered obliquely upward frontward, and a butting portion formed at an extending end portion of the elastic arm portion, which is caught by the lock arm from the rear, thereby restricting movement of the detection member from the initial position to the detection position. A release operation portion is formed at a rear end (top end) of the lock arm. A pair of wall portions left and right and a bridge portion connecting upper ends of the wall portions to each other are formed on an upper surface of the housing. An excessive flexion restricting portion is formed at the bridge portion, which is caught by the release operation portion from below, thereby restricting excessive flexion of the lock arm upward. PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS PATENT LITERATURE

[0003] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-99332 SUMMARY PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0004] In a case where the detection member is pressed forward from the initial position toward the detection position before fitting of the housing and the counterpart housing, the lock arm is lifted upward by being caught by the butting portion from the rear, and excessive flexion of the lock arm is restricted by being caught by the release operation portion from below. In view of either of the following: in a case where the detection member is further pressed forward from here, the lock arm is flexibly deformed as a whole, and the release operation portion is relatively moved forward with respect to the excessive flexion restricting portion and falls off. In this case, the butting portion intrudes below the lock arm, and the detection member is moved to the detection position irregularly. SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS

[0005] The connector of the present application can be mated with a counterpart connector, and is provided with a housing having a lock arm, and a detection member assembled to the housing from the rear, which can advance from an initial position to a detection position, the lock arm extending cantilever-like from the outer surface of the housing toward the rear, the detection member having a detection member main body, an elastic arm portion extending cantilever-like from the detection member main body toward the front, and an abutting portion formed at the extending end portion of the elastic arm portion, which is caught by the lock arm from the rear, thereby inhibiting movement of the detection member from the initial position to the detection position, an excessive deflection inhibiting portion is formed at the outer surface of the housing, which is caught by the extending end portion of the lock arm, thereby inhibiting excessive deflection of the lock arm, a protrusion is formed at at least one of the extending end portion of the lock arm and the excessive deflection inhibiting portion, which is caught by the other of the extending end portion of the lock arm and the excessive deflection inhibiting portion when excessive deflection is inhibited, thereby inhibiting advancement of the lock arm. Effects of the Invention

[0006] According to the present application, the detection member can be inhibited from being moved to the detection position by being sunk below the lock arm. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the connector as viewed from an oblique front. Figure 2 is a front view of the connector as viewed from the front. Figure 3 is Figure 2 is an A-A sectional view of Figure 4 is a sectional view showing a state before the counterpart connector and the connector are mated at the A-A cross-sectional position of Figure 2 is a sectional view showing a state where the counterpart connector and the connector are initially mated at the A-A cross-sectional position of Figure 5 Figure 2 is a sectional view showing a state where the counterpart connector and the connector are half-mated at the A-A cross-sectional position of Figure 6 Figure 2 Figure 7 is a sectional view showing a state where the counterpart connector and the connector are normally mated at the A-A cross-sectional position of Figure 2 is a sectional view showing a state where the detection member is halfway toward the detection position from the initial position at the A-A cross-sectional position of Figure 8 Figure 2 Figure 9 is a sectional view showing a state where the detection member is halfway toward the detection position from the initial position at the A-A cross-sectional position of Figure 2 ​​​​​A cross-sectional view of the state in which the detection member has reached the detection position in the A-A cross-sectional position. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the detection member is pressed forward from the initial position toward the detection position before the connector and the counterpart connector are fitted. Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the state in which the detection member is pressed forward from the initial position toward the detection position before the connector and the counterpart connector are fitted in the A-A cross-sectional position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] [Explanation of Embodiments of the Invention] First, an embodiment of the invention will be explained. [1] The connector of the invention is capable of being fitted with a counterpart connector, the connector is provided with a housing and a detection member, the housing has a lock arm, the detection member is assembled to the housing from the rear, is capable of advancing from an initial position to a detection position, the lock arm extends cantilever-like from the outer surface of the housing toward the rear, the detection member has a detection member main body, an elastic arm portion extending cantilever-like from the detection member main body toward the front, and a bumping portion formed at the extending end portion of the elastic arm portion, the movement of the detection member from the initial position to the detection position is inhibited by being caught from the rear by the lock arm, an excessive deflection inhibiting portion is formed at the outer surface of the housing, the excessive deflection of the lock arm is inhibited by being caught at the extending end portion of the lock arm by the excessive deflection inhibiting portion, a projection is formed at at least one of the extending end portion of the lock arm and the excessive deflection inhibiting portion, the advancement of the lock arm is inhibited by being caught at the other of the extending end portion of the lock arm and the excessive deflection inhibiting portion when the excessive deflection is inhibited.

[0009] When the connector is fitted with the counterpart connector, the lock arm is deflected and deformed, and in conjunction therewith, the elastic arm portion of the detection member is also deflected and deformed. When the counterpart connector and the connector are normally fitted, only the lock arm is returned, and the elastic arm portion is still deflected and deformed. Then, by moving the detection member from the initial position to the detection position, it is possible to detect that the normally fitted state has been reached.

[0010] Before the connector is fitted with the counterpart connector, in the case where the detection member is pressed from the initial position toward the detection position by an unexpected application of force or the like to the detection member, and the lock arm is lifted by being caught from the rear by the bumping portion of the elastic arm portion, the excessive deflection of the lock arm is inhibited by being caught at the excessive deflection inhibiting portion by the extending end portion of the lock arm.

[0011] In the case where the detection member is further pressed from this state, the locking arm as a whole will be flexibly deformed, and the extended end portion of the locking arm will relatively move forward with respect to the excessive flexion inhibiting portion. However, in the connector of the present application, the protrusion formed on at least one of the extended end portion of the locking arm or the excessive flexion inhibiting portion is caught in the other, so that the advance of the locking arm can be inhibited. Therefore, the extended end portion of the locking arm does not come off the excessive flexion inhibiting portion, and the abutting portion of the detection member does not sink under the locking arm.

[0012] [2] Preferably, the locking arm extends toward the obliquely upper rear from the upper surface of the housing, and the excessive flexion inhibiting portion inhibits the excessive flexion of the locking arm upward by being caught in the extended end portion of the locking arm from above. Since the locking arm extends toward the obliquely upper rear from the upper surface of the housing, the locking arm is caught in the locking arm from the rear by the abutting portion of the elastic arm portion, so that the locking arm is more easily lifted. However, as described above, the extended end portion of the locking arm is caught in the excessive flexion inhibiting portion, so that the excessive flexion of the locking arm can be inhibited, and the advance of the locking arm is inhibited by the protrusion.

[0013] [3] Preferably, a lower side inhibiting surface is formed in the extended portion of the locking arm, the excessive flexion inhibiting portion has an upper side inhibiting surface which contacts the lower side inhibiting surface when inhibiting the excessive flexion, and the upper side inhibiting surface is a tapered surface which is more downward toward the front. Since the upper side inhibiting surface is a tapered surface, the upper side inhibiting surface and the lower side inhibiting surface are easily brought into close contact, and the locking arm is easily firmly fixed by the excessive flexion inhibiting portion.

[0014] [4] Preferably, the protrusion is formed in the lower side inhibiting surface of the locking arm, the excessive flexion inhibiting portion has a front side catching surface, the protrusion is caught in the front side catching surface from the rear when inhibiting the advance, and the front side catching surface is a tapered surface which is more upward toward the front. Since the front side catching surface is a tapered surface, the protrusion is more strongly caught in the front side catching surface and is not easily come off, and the advance of the protrusion to the locking arm is firmly performed.

[0015] [5] Preferably, a pair of the protrusions is provided in parallel, and the pair of the protrusions are connected by a rib in a manner that a door shape which opens toward the front is formed. In the case where the locking of the locking arm is released, the finger or the jig is easily hooked to the rib, and the release property is easily improved. In addition, by connecting the pair of the protrusions with the rib, the rigidity is improved, and the deformation of the rib due to the external force is easily inhibited.

[0016] [6] Preferably, the protrusion has a rear side catching surface which is caught in the front side catching surface from the rear, and the rear side catching surface is a tapered surface which is more upward toward the front. Because the rear locking surface is tapered, it is easy to make the front locking surface and the rear locking surface fit tightly together, which can further and more firmly inhibit the forward movement of the locking arm.

[0017] [Details of embodiments of the present invention] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described. The present invention is not limited to these illustrations, but is shown through the claims and is intended to include all variations within the meaning and scope of the claims. In the various drawings, for ease of explanation, sometimes a portion of the structure is shown enlarged or simplified. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios of the various parts sometimes differ in the various drawings. The term "orthogonal" in this specification includes not only strictly orthogonal cases, but also cases that are substantially orthogonal to the extent that they serve the function and effect in this embodiment.

[0018] Furthermore, in this specification, "opposite" refers to a position where surfaces or components are directly opposite each other, including not only positions where they are completely opposite each other, but also positions where they are partially opposite each other. Additionally, "opposite" in this specification includes both cases where a component independent of the two parts is interposed between the two parts and cases where nothing is interposed between the two parts.

[0019] <Implementation Method> Reference Figures 1 to 10 Embodiments of the present invention will be described. In the following description, the direction indicated by arrow Z is upward, the direction indicated by arrow X is forward, and the direction indicated by arrow Y is leftward. Furthermore, regarding multiple identical components, sometimes only some components are labeled with reference numerals, while the reference numerals for other components are omitted.

[0020] (Connector 10) Connector 10 can engage with connector 50. Connector 10 is configured to include housing 20 and detection member 40. Housing 20 has locking arm 30. Detection member 40 is assembled to housing 20 from the rear and can move from the initial position to the detection position. Furthermore, in the following description, regarding the front-rear direction, the mating surface side of the two connectors 10 and 50 is referred to as the front side.

[0021] (Partner connector 50) like Figure 4 As shown, the mating connector 50 includes a mating housing 51 made of synthetic resin. The mating housing 51 has a cylindrical cover 52 that opens forward. A locking receiving portion 53 is formed at the front end of the upper wall of the cover 52. The locking receiving portion 53 is shaped to extend through the upper wall in the vertical direction. The front surface of the inner wall of the locking receiving portion 53 is an inverted conical locking receiving surface 53A that slopes slightly upward towards the front.

[0022] An interference portion 54 is formed at the front end of the upper wall of the cover portion 52, in front of the locking receiving portion 53. A tapered inclined surface 54A that slopes upwards towards the front is formed at the lower end of the front surface of the interference portion 54. In addition, the lower surface of the interference portion 54 is a pressing surface 54B, which is arranged approximately horizontally from the inclined surface 54A to the locking receiving portion 53.

[0023] (Shell 20) The casing 20 is made of synthetic resin, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the device includes: a block-shaped housing body 21; a front cover 22 mounted on the front surface of the housing body 21; and a locking arm 30 integrally connected to the upper surface of the housing body 21. The locking arm 30 extends cantilevered from the upper surface of the housing body 21 in an upward and rearward direction. The locking arm 30 is flexible in the upward and downward directions. Terminal parts (not shown) can be inserted inside the housing body 21.

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, an arched over-deflection suppression section 24 is formed on the upper surface of the rear end of the housing body 21, which surrounds the release operation section 34 of the locking arm 30 (described later). The inner space of the over-deflection suppression section 24 is an assembly space 25 for detecting the insertion of the member 40 from the rear.

[0025] The excessive deflection suppression part 24 has: a pair of symmetrical outer sidewalls 26 that rise upward from the left and right ends of the upper surface of the housing body 21; a pair of inner sidewalls 27 located inside the two outer sidewalls 26 and rising upward from the upper surface of the housing body 21; and a horizontal flat plate-shaped bridge part 28 that is connected to the upper ends of the two inner sidewalls 27 and the two outer sidewalls 26 and is erected throughout the entire width of the housing body 21.

[0026] The bridge section 28 is supported at its left and right ends by two pairs of sidewalls 26 and 27 spaced apart. The lower surface of the bridge section 28 is an upper restraining surface 28A. The upper restraining surface 28A is a tapered surface that extends towards the front and then downwards.

[0027] (Locking arm 30) like Figure 3 As shown, the locking arm 30 extends rearward in a cantilever shape from the upper surface of the front end of the housing body 21. A flexural space is formed between the lower surface of the locking arm 30 and the upper surface of the housing body 21, which allows the locking arm 30 to flex elastically during the engagement of the connector 10 and the other connector 50.

[0028] In the substantially central portion of the front-rear direction of the lock arm 30, a lock protrusion 31 is protruded upward. The rear surface of the lock protrusion 31 is a locking surface 31A which is open to the rear. The upper side of the locking surface 31A which is opposite to the locking receiving surface 53A of the lock receiving portion 53 is in a slightly inverted conical shape, and the lower side of the locking surface 31A which is opposite to the abutting portion 46 of the detection member 40 described later is in a slightly conical shape.

[0029] The lock arm 30 has a base end portion 32 at a position which is forward of the lock protrusion 31. The base end portion 32 is connected to the upper surface of the housing main body 21, and becomes the fulcrum of the flexing action of the lock arm 30. As shown in Figure 1 The lock arm 30 has: a pair of side frame portions 33 which are symmetrical left and right, extending rearward from the left and right sides of the lock protrusion 31; and a release operation portion 34 for performing a release operation on the lock arm 30.

[0030] As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 3 The release operation portion 34 is formed in a rectangular plate shape. The upper surface of the release operation portion 34 is a lower side restraining surface 34A. A pair of protrusions 35 and a rib 36 which connects the rear ends of the protrusions 35 to each other are formed in the lower side restraining surface 34A. The pair of protrusions 35 and the rib 36 are in a door shape which is open to the front when viewed from above as a whole.

[0031] In the front-rear direction, the front end edge of the release operation portion 34 is set at substantially the same position as the front end edge of the bridge portion 28. The rear end edge of the release operation portion 34 is set at a position which is rearward of the rear end edge of the bridge portion 28. Therefore, the front end side region of the release operation portion 34 is covered from above by the bridge portion 28 over the entire width in the left-right direction. On the other hand, the rear end side region of the release operation portion 34 is not covered from above by the bridge portion 28, but is open upward.

[0032] The front surface of the protrusion 35 is a rear side locking surface 35A. On the other hand, the rear surface of the bridge portion 28 is a front side locking surface 28B. In the front-rear direction, the rear side locking surface 35A is set at a position which is rearward of the front side locking surface 28B. As shown in Figure 10 In the case where the lock arm 30 is lifted up, the lower side restraining surface 34A abuts against and locks the upper side restraining surface 28A from below, and the rear side locking surface 35A abuts against and locks the front side locking surface 28B from the rear, thereby firmly restraining the advancement (disengagement to the front) of the lock arm 30.

[0033] As shown in Figure 7As shown, when the two connectors 10 and 50 are properly engaged, the locking protrusion 31 elastically inserts into the locking receiving portion 53 from below, and the locking surface 31A is configured to engage with the locking receiving surface 53A, thus maintaining the two connectors 10 and 50 in a properly engaged state. On the other hand, when the two connectors 10 and 50 are properly engaged, by pressing down on the upper surface of the release operation portion 34, the locking arm 30 flexes and deforms into the flexural space. As a result, the locking protrusion 31 disengages from the locking receiving portion 53, allowing the two connectors 10 and 50 to be pulled apart.

[0034] like Figure 3 As shown, a receiving recess 37 is formed on the lower surface of the locking arm 30, opening rearward. In the front-rear direction, the receiving recess 37 is positioned corresponding to the locking protrusion 31. The receiving recess 37 is sized and shaped to suit the protrusion 44 of the detection member 40 (described later), and has an opening on the lower surface (flexible space side) of the locking arm 30 and behind the locking protrusion 31.

[0035] (Detection component 40) The detection component 40 is made of synthetic resin and has a detection component body 41 and an elastic arm 42 integrally connected to the front end of the detection component body 41. The detection component 40 is assembled into a form that can... Figure 3 The initial position shown is via Figure 7 The standby position shown is towards Figure 9 The detection position shown has moved.

[0036] An operating part 43 is formed protruding upward from the rear end of the upper surface of the detection component body 41. A finger or clamp is hooked on the operating part 43, and by pulling it backward in this state, the detection component 40 is pulled back from the detection position to the initial position.

[0037] The elastic arm 42 extends diagonally upward and forward from the center of the front surface of the detection component body 41 in a cantilever shape. The elastic arm 42 is square rod-shaped and can bend and deform in the vertical direction with the rear end connected to the front surface of the detection component body 41 as the fulcrum. In its natural state, the elastic arm 42 is inclined upward at approximately a certain angle from the rear end to the front end.

[0038] As the detection component 40 is from Figure 4 The initial position shown is towards Figure 7 As the standby position shifts, the elastic arm 42 flexes and deforms by gradually decreasing its tilt angle. When the detection component 40 reaches... Figure 9 When in the detection position shown, the elastic arm 42 is substantially not tilted but in a roughly horizontal position. Therefore, the elastic arm 42 is in a state of accumulating rebound force in both the standby position and the detection position.

[0039] At the front end portion of the elastic arm portion 42, a block-shaped protrusion portion 44 is formed protruding upward. At the front end lower portion of the protrusion portion 44, an abutting portion 45 is formed protruding forward. As shown in FIG. 6, when the detection member 40 is located at the initial position, the upper surface of the abutting portion 45 is disposed substantially horizontally, abutting on the upper surface of the receiving recess 37 from below. Figure 4

[0040] The region of the protrusion portion 44 that stands upward from the rear end of the abutting portion 45 is a bumping portion 46. When the elastic arm portion 42 is in the natural state, the bumping portion 46 is disposed extending in the vertical direction. Further, when the detection member 40 is in the initial position, the bumping portion 46 is disposed in opposition to the locking protrusion 31 from the rear.

[0041] (Action Explanation of the Connector 10) Next, the operation of the connector 10 will be described. At the time of assembly, first, the detection member 40 is inserted into the assembly space 25 of the housing main body 21 from the rear. When the detection member 40 reaches the initial position, the bumping portion 46 is disposed so as to be able to be caught by the locking protrusion 31 from the rear. Therefore, if the detection member 40 is pressed forward in the initial position, the bumping portion 46 abuts on the locking surface 31A, thereby inhibiting further advancement of the detection member 40.

[0042] In the initial position, the abutting portion 45 abuts on the upper surface of the inner wall of the receiving recess 37 from below, and the elastic arm portion 42 is held to the locking arm 30 while accumulating the rebounding force. Further, by the abutting portion 45 abutting on the upper surface of the inner wall of the receiving recess 37, the catching portion of the bumping portion 46 and the locking surface 31A of the locking protrusion 31 are also automatically determined to a prescribed value. Moreover, by the abutting portion 45 abutting on the upper surface of the inner wall of the receiving recess 37 from below, it is possible to prevent the elastic arm portion 42 from being relatively displaced upward with respect to the locking arm 30, that is, the abutment of the bumping portion 46 and the locking surface 31A is released. Therefore, the advancement of the detection member 40 is more reliably inhibited.

[0043] Here, a case where the detection member 40 is pressed in the forward direction by an external force or the like will be considered. In this case, first, the locking arm 30 is rocked as a whole with the base end portion 32 as a fulcrum by the bumping portion 46 abutting on the locking surface 31A from the rear, and then, as shown in FIG. 7, the locking arm 30 is rocked by the abutting portion 45 abutting on the inner wall of the receiving recess 37 from below. Figure 10

[0044] ​​In the case where the detection member 40 is further pressed into the forward direction from this state, the locking arm 30 as a whole will be flexibly deformed toward the obliquely upper front, and the release operation portion 34 of the locking arm 30 will be relatively moved toward the front with respect to the excessive flexion inhibiting portion 24. However, in the connector 10 of the present application, the lower side inhibiting surface 34A is in close contact with the upper side inhibiting surface 28A, and the rear side locking surface 35A of the protrusion 35 is in close contact with the front side locking surface 28B of the bridge portion 28, so that the advance of the locking arm 30 can be firmly inhibited. In this way, the locking arm 30 can be inhibited from falling off toward the front of the excessive flexion inhibiting portion 24.

[0045] In the fitting process of the housing main body 21 into the cover portion 52 of the counterpart housing 51, as shown in Figure 5 , the locking protrusion 31 is in sliding contact with the inclined surface 54A of the interference portion 54, so that the locking arm 30 and the elastic arm portion 42 are flexibly deformed downward. Then, as shown in Figure 6 , the locking protrusion 31 is pressed by the pressing surface 54B of the interference portion 54, and the locking arm 30 is accommodated in the flexion space. Also, when the housing 20 is normally fitted to the counterpart housing 51, the pressing state of the locking protrusion 31 by the interference portion 54 is released, as shown in Figure 7 , the locking arm 30 is elastically returned, and the locking protrusion 31 is embedded into the locking receiving portion 53 from below. Thus, the upper portion of the locking surface 31A of the locking protrusion 31 is arranged to be lockable to the locking receiving surface 53A of the locking receiving portion 53, and the two housings 20, 51 are maintained in the normally fitted state.

[0046] When the housing 20 is normally fitted to the counterpart housing 51, the protruding portion 44 is pressed downward by the interference portion 54. At this time, the protruding portion 44 does not follow the return operation of the locking arm 30, but maintains the abutting state with the interference portion 54, and the abutting portion 45 is released from the accommodation recess 37. Thus, the detection member 40 is left at the standby position where the elastic arm portion 42 is released from the locking arm 30 and abuts against the counterpart housing 51. At the standby position, the elastic arm portion 42 is flexibly deformed and assumes a nearly horizontal tilted posture by the interference portion 54.

[0047] When a pressing force in the forward direction is applied to the detection member 40 at the standby position, as shown in Figure 8 , the protruding portion 44 is in sliding contact with the lower end of the locking surface 31A by the inclined surface of the protruding portion 44, so that the elastic arm portion 42 is flexibly deformed downward, and the protruding portion 44 is inserted into the accommodation recess 37 from the rear. When the detection member 40 reaches the detection position, as shown in Figure 9 , the protruding portion 44 is fitted and accommodated into the accommodation recess 37. The further advance of the detection member 40 is inhibited by the protruding portion 44 abutting against the front surface of the inner wall of the accommodation recess 37.

[0048] In the detection position, the elastic arm portion 42 is held in a state of accumulating the rebounding force and in a substantially horizontal posture between the lock arm 30 and the case main body 21. Also, the elastic arm portion 42 is inserted into the flexing space of the lock arm 30 by a regular depth, whereby the flexing action of the lock arm 30 can be suppressed, and as a result, the regular fitting state of the two cases 20, 51 can be firmly maintained.

[0049] On the other hand, when the case 20 is not regularly fitted with the counterpart case 51 and is left in a semi-fitted state, then Figure 6 As shown, the lock arm 30 is in a state of being pressed and flexibly deformed by the pressing surface 54B of the interfering portion 54. Therefore, even if the detection member 40 is pressed in the forward direction in this state, the protruding portion 44 interferes with the lock protrusion 31, the elastic arm portion 42 cannot enter the flexing space of the lock arm 30, and the movement of the detection member 40 to the detection position can be prevented. Therefore, whether or not the case 20 is regularly fitted with the counterpart case 51 can be known from whether or not the detection member 40 can move to the detection position.

[0050] In addition, when the two cases 20, 51 that are held in the regular fitted state are to be disengaged, a finger or a jig is first abutted against the operation portion 43, and the detection member 40 is pulled in the rearward direction in this state. The detection member 40 is pulled back to the initial position by the pulling force in the rearward direction acting on the detection member 40.

[0051] Then, a finger or a jig is abutted against the rib 36, and the operation release operation portion 34 is pressed downward. At this time, although the bridge portion 28 is disposed above the release operation portion 34, since the rib 36 is located further rearward than the rear end of the bridge portion 28, the release lock operation can be performed. Here, since the rib 36 is integrally formed with the pair of protrusions 35, the rigidity is increased, and therefore, even if a strong force is applied to the rib 36 using a finger or a jig, the rib 36 does not collapse, and the shape of the rib 36 is maintained.

[0052] When the release lock operation is performed on the release operation portion 34, the lock arm 30 is elastically flexed downward, the lock protrusion 31 is disengaged from the lock receiving portion 53, and the locked state of the lock arm 30 and the lock receiving portion 53 is released. Then, the state in which the release operation portion 34 is pressed is maintained as it is, the case 20 is pulled away from the counterpart case 51, and thus the two cases 20, 51 are disengaged from each other.

[0053] (EFFECTS OF THE EMBODIMENT) The connector 10 of the embodiment is capable of fitting with the counterpart connector 50, and the connector 10 includes a housing 20 having a lock arm 30 and a detection member 40 assembled to the housing 20 from the rear, capable of advancing from an initial position to a detection position, and the lock arm 30 extends cantilevered from the outer surface of the housing 20 toward the rear, and the detection member 40 includes a detection member main body 41, an elastic arm portion 42 extending cantilevered from the detection member main body 41 toward the front, and a contact portion 46 formed at the extending end portion of the elastic arm portion 42, which is caught by the lock arm 30 from the rear to thereby suppress the movement from the initial position to the detection position, and an excessive deflection suppression portion 24 is formed at the outer surface of the housing 20, which is caught by the extending end portion of the lock arm 30 to thereby suppress the excessive deflection of the lock arm 30, and a protrusion 35 is formed at the extending end portion of the lock arm 30, which is caught by the excessive deflection suppression portion 24 when the excessive deflection is suppressed to thereby suppress the advancement of the lock arm 30.

[0054] When the connector 10 is fitted with the counterpart connector 50, the lock arm 30 is deflected and deformed, and in conjunction therewith, the elastic arm portion 42 of the detection member 40 is also deflected and deformed. When the counterpart connector 50 and the connector 10 are normally fitted, only the lock arm 30 is returned to the original position, and the elastic arm portion 42 is still deflected and deformed. Then, by moving the detection member 40 from the initial position to the detection position, it is possible to detect that the normally fitted state has been reached.

[0055] Before fitting the connector 10 with the counterpart connector 50, in a case where the detection member 40 is pressed from the initial position toward the detection position by an unexpected application of force or the like, and the contact portion 46 of the elastic arm portion 42 is caught by the lock arm 30 from the rear to thereby lift the lock arm 30, the extending end portion of the lock arm 30 is caught by the excessive deflection suppression portion 24 to thereby suppress the excessive deflection of the lock arm 30.

[0056] In a case where the detection member 40 is further pressed from this state, the lock arm 30 as a whole is to be deflected and deformed, and the extending end portion of the lock arm 30 is to be relatively moved toward the front with respect to the excessive deflection suppression portion 24. However, in the connector 10 of the embodiment, the protrusion 35 formed at the extending end portion of the lock arm 30 is caught by the excessive deflection suppression portion 24 to thereby suppress the advancement of the lock arm 30. Therefore, the extending end portion of the lock arm 30 does not come off from the excessive deflection suppression portion 24, and the contact portion 46 of the detection member 40 does not sink under the lock arm 30.

[0057] It is preferable that the lock arm 30 extends toward the obliquely upper rear from the upper surface of the housing 20, and the excessive deflection suppression portion 24 is caught by the extending end portion of the lock arm 30 from the upper side to thereby suppress the excessive deflection of the lock arm 30 toward the upper side. Since the lock arm 30 extends toward the obliquely upper rear from the upper surface of the case 20, the lock arm 30 is caught from the rear by the abutting portion 46 of the elastic arm portion 42, so that the lock arm 30 is more easily lifted up. However, as described above, the extended end portion of the lock arm 30 is caught by the excessive flexion inhibiting portion 24, so that excessive flexion of the lock arm 30 can be inhibited, and the advancement of the lock arm 30 is inhibited by the protrusion 35.

[0058] Preferably, the extended portion of the lock arm 30 is formed with a lower side inhibiting surface 34A, and the excessive flexion inhibiting portion 24 has an upper side inhibiting surface 28A which contacts the lower side inhibiting surface 34A when inhibiting excessive flexion, and the upper side inhibiting surface 28A is a tapered surface which is more downward toward the front. Since the upper side inhibiting surface 28A is a tapered surface, the upper side inhibiting surface 28A and the lower side inhibiting surface 34A are easily brought into close contact, and the lock arm 30 is easily firmly fixed by the excessive flexion inhibiting portion 24.

[0059] Preferably, the protrusion 35 is formed on the lower side inhibiting surface 34A of the lock arm 30, and the excessive flexion inhibiting portion 24 has a front side catching surface 28B, and the protrusion 35 is caught from the rear by the front side catching surface 28B when inhibiting advancement, and the front side catching surface 28B is a tapered surface which is more upward toward the front.

[0060] Since the front side catching surface 28B is a tapered surface, the protrusion 35 is more strongly caught by the front side catching surface 28B and is not easily detached, and the advancement of the lock arm 30 by the protrusion 35 can be firmly inhibited.

[0061] Preferably, the protrusion 35 is provided in a pair, and the pair of protrusions 35 are connected by the rib 36 in a manner that a door shape which opens toward the front is formed. When the lock of the lock arm 30 is released, the finger or the jig is easily hooked to the rib 36, and the release property is easily improved. Further, by connecting the pair of protrusions 35 by the rib 36, the rigidity is improved, and deformation of the rib 36 by external force is easily inhibited.

[0062] Preferably, the protrusion 35 has a rear side catching surface 35A which is caught from the rear by the front side catching surface 28B, and the rear side catching surface 35A is a tapered surface which is more upward toward the front. Since the rear side catching surface 35A is a tapered surface, the front side catching surface 28B and the rear side catching surface 35A are easily brought into close contact, and the advancement of the lock arm 30 by the protrusion 35 can be further firmly inhibited.

[0063] (Other Embodiments) The above-described embodiments can be implemented as follows. The above-described embodiments and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a range in which there is no technical contradiction.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the protrusions 35 are formed in the release operation portion 34, but the protrusions can be formed in the excessive flexion suppression portion 24, and the protrusions can be engaged with the release operation portion 34 from the front to suppress the advancement of the lock arm 30.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the lock arm 30 is formed on the upper surface of the housing main body 21, but the lock arm 30 can be formed on the outer surface of the housing main body 21, and can be formed on the side surface or the lower surface of the housing main body 21.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the lock arm 30 extends toward the obliquely upper rear from the upper surface of the housing main body 21, but the lock arm can extend rearward in parallel with the upper surface of the housing main body 21.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the upper side suppression surface 28A is a tapered surface, but the upper side suppression surface can be parallel to the upper surface of the housing main body 21.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the front side engagement surface 28B is a tapered surface, but the front side engagement surface can be perpendicular to the upper surface of the housing main body 21.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the pair of protrusions 35 are connected by the rib 36, but the number of the protrusions 35 can be one or more than three, and the rib 36 can be omitted.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the rear side engagement surface 35A is a tapered surface, but the rear side engagement surface can be perpendicular to the upper surface of the housing main body 21. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0071] 10: connector 20: housing 21: housing main body 22: front cover 24: excessive flexion suppression portion 25: assembly space 26: outer side wall 27: inner side wall 28: bridge portion 28A: upper side suppression surface 28B: front side engagement surface 30: lock arm 31: lock protrusion 31A: engagement surface 32: base end portion 33: side frame portion 34: release operation portion 34A: lower side suppression surface 35: protrusion 35A: rear locking surface 36: rib 37: housing recess 40: detection member 41: detection member body 42: elastic arm portion 43: operation portion 44: protrusion 45: abutment portion 46: abutting portion 50: counterpart connector 51: counterpart housing 52: cover portion 53: lock receiving portion 53A: locking receiving surface 54: interference portion 54A: inclined surface 54B: pressing surface

Claims

1. A connector capable of mating with a counterpart connector, wherein, The connector includes a housing and a detection component. The housing has a locking arm. The detection component is assembled into the housing from the rear and can move from the initial position to the detection position. The locking arm extends rearward in a cantilever shape from the outer surface of the housing. The detection member has: a detection member body; an elastic arm extending cantileveredly forward from the detection member body; and an abutment formed at the extended end of the elastic arm, which, by engaging with the locking arm from the rear, inhibits movement of the detection member from the initial position to the detection position. An excessive deflection suppression portion is formed on the outer surface of the housing. This excessive deflection suppression portion suppresses excessive deflection of the locking arm by engaging with the extended end of the locking arm. A protrusion is formed on at least one of the extended end of the locking arm and the over-deflection suppression portion, the protrusion suppressing the forward movement of the locking arm by engaging with the other of the extended end of the locking arm and the over-deflection suppression portion when suppressing over-deflection.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The locking arm extends from the upper surface of the housing toward an upward and rearward direction. The excessive deflection suppression section suppresses excessive upward deflection of the locking arm by engaging with the extended end of the locking arm from above.

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein, A lower restraining surface is formed on the extension of the locking arm. The excessive deflection suppression part has an upper suppression surface, which contacts the lower suppression surface when suppressing excessive deflection. The upper suppression surface is a conical surface that faces forward and downward.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein, The protrusion is formed on the lower restraining surface of the locking arm. The excessive deflection suppression part has a front locking surface, and when suppressing forward movement, the protrusion locks into the front locking surface from the rear. The front locking surface is a tapered surface that points towards the front and then upwards.

5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein, The protrusions are arranged in a pair side by side, and the pair of protrusions are connected by ribs in a way that forms a door shape that opens forward.

6. The connector according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein, The protrusion has a rear locking surface that engages with the front locking surface from the rear, and the rear locking surface is a tapered surface that faces forward and upward.

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