Connector device

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to achieve miniaturization. A connector device (A) is provided with: a terminal holding member (10) that engages with a mating connector (B); a terminal fitting (16) held by the terminal holding member (10); and a holder (20) that moves integrally with the terminal holding member (10) in a fitting direction in which the terminal holding member (10) is fitted to the mating connector (B), the holder (20) having a first member (21) and a second member (35), the terminal holding member (10) and the first member (21) being formed with a first guide portion (26), and the first guide portion (26) being formed with a second guide portion (26). The terminal holding member (10) and the first member (21) are provided with a first guide portion (26) allowing relative displacement of the terminal holding member (10) and the first member (21) in a first direction intersecting the fitting direction, and a second guide portion (40) is formed on the first member (21) and the second member (35). The second guide portion (40) allows relative displacement of the first member (21) and the second member (35) in a second direction intersecting both the fitting direction and the first direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to connector devices. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a floating connector comprising: a sliding housing on which contacts are mounted; and a base housing that holds the sliding housing so as to allow relative displacement in both the depth and width directions. A pair of grooves extending along the depth direction are formed on the inner surfaces of the two side walls in the width direction of the base housing. Protrusions formed at both ends of the sliding housing in the width direction are received in these grooves. The grooves and protrusions function to restrict relative displacement between the sliding housing and the base housing in the height direction. The grooves and protrusions then engage in a manner that allows the sliding housing to float relative to the base housing in both the depth and width directions. Existing technical documents Patent documents

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-093424 Summary of the Invention The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0004] The groove is recessed in the width direction of the base housing's sidewall, and the protrusion protrudes in the width direction from the outer side of the sliding housing. Therefore, even when the sliding housing's width-direction floating amount is at its maximum, the protrusion must not detach from the groove. Thus, the width dimensions of the groove and the protrusion must satisfy not only the minimum locking amount necessary for the protruding end of the protrusion to be closest to the opening of the groove during floating, but also the maximum width-direction floating amount of the sliding housing. Therefore, the floating connector in Patent Document 1 suffers from the problem of being large in the width direction.

[0005] The connector device disclosed herein is based on the aforementioned situation and its purpose is to achieve miniaturization. Solution for solving the problem

[0006] The connector device disclosed herein includes: a terminal retaining member for engaging with a counterpart connector; a terminal part retained in the terminal retaining member; and a retaining member that moves integrally with the terminal retaining member in an engagement direction for engaging with the counterpart connector. The retaining member has a first member and a second member, and a first guide portion is formed on the terminal retaining member and the first member, the first guide portion allowing relative displacement of the terminal retaining member and the first member in a first direction intersecting the engagement direction. A second guide portion is formed on the first member and the second member, the second guide portion allowing relative displacement of the first member and the second member in a second direction intersecting both the engagement direction and the first direction. Invention Effects

[0007] According to this disclosure, miniaturization can be achieved. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the connector device of Embodiment 1 viewed from an oblique top. Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the state before the connector device of Embodiment 1 is fitted with the other side connector, viewed from a slightly lower angle. Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the terminal retaining member of Embodiment 1 viewed from an oblique top. Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the terminal retaining member of Embodiment 1 viewed from a slightly lower angle. Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the first component of Embodiment 1 as seen from an obliquely upward angle. Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the first component of Embodiment 1 viewed from a slightly lower angle. Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the second component of Embodiment 1 viewed from an obliquely upward angle. Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the second component of Embodiment 1 viewed from a slightly lower angle. Figure 9 This is a top view showing the state in which the terminal retaining member is held in a neutral position relative to the first member and the first member is held in a neutral position relative to the second member in the connector device of Embodiment 1. Figure 10 yes Figure 9 X-ray cross-sectional view. Figure 11 yes Figure 10 Y-Y sectional view. Figure 12 yes Figure 10 Z-Z sectional view. Figure 13This is a top view showing the state in the connector device of Embodiment 1 where the terminal retaining member has been relatively displaced forward relative to the first member and the terminal retaining member and the first member have been relatively displaced to the left relative to the second member. Figure 14 This is a top view of the connector device in Embodiment 2. Figure 15 yes Figure 14 X-ray cross-sectional view. Figure 16 This illustrates the state in which the terminal retaining member is tilted relative to the first member in the connector device of Embodiment 2. Figure 14 A cross-sectional view of the X-ray. Figure 17 yes Figure 14 Y-Y sectional view. Figure 18 This illustrates the state in which the first component is tilted relative to the second component in the connector device of Embodiment 2. Figure 14 A cross-sectional view of the Y-Y line. Detailed Implementation

[0009] (Description of embodiments of this disclosure) First, embodiments of this disclosure are described. Solutions obtained by arbitrarily combining the following embodiments without causing contradictions are also included in the solutions for implementing the invention.

[0010] (1) The connector device of the present disclosure includes: a terminal retaining member for engaging with a counterpart connector; a terminal part for being held in the terminal retaining member; and a retaining member that moves integrally with the terminal retaining member in an engagement direction for engaging with the counterpart connector, the retaining member having a first member and a second member, a first guide portion formed on the terminal retaining member and the first member, the first guide portion allowing the terminal retaining member and the first member to be relatively displaced in a first direction intersecting the engagement direction, and a second guide portion formed on the first member and the second member, the second guide portion allowing the first member and the second member to be relatively displaced in a second direction intersecting the engagement direction and the first direction.

[0011] According to the structure of this disclosure, the positional offset in the first direction between the peer connector and the terminal retaining member is absorbed by the relative displacement of the terminal retaining member and the first member via the first guide. The positional offset in the second direction between the peer connector and the terminal retaining member is absorbed by the relative displacement of the first member and the second member via the second guide. In the second direction, although the necessary size of the second guide includes the maximum relative displacement (maximum floating amount) between the first member and the second member, it is not necessary to have a locking amount to prevent the first member and the second member from disengaging in the mating direction. In the second direction (the width direction of the first guide), the necessary size of the first guide is only the minimum locking amount necessary to prevent the terminal retaining member and the first member from disengaging in the mating direction. Therefore, in the second direction, apart from the maximum floating amount, the necessary size of the first guide and the second guide is only the locking amount of the first guide. Thus, according to this disclosure, miniaturization can be achieved in the second direction.

[0012] (2) Preferably, the first member is formed as a square tube surrounding the terminal retaining member. According to this structure, the rigidity of the first member can be improved.

[0013] (3) Based on (2), preferably, the first guide portion includes: a guide rib formed on the first member; a spring portion disposed on the terminal retaining member and capable of elastic deformation; and a locking protrusion disposed on the terminal retaining member, clamping the guide rib between the locking protrusion and the spring portion, wherein the spring portion elastically deforms during the assembly of the terminal retaining member and the first member. This structure facilitates the assembly of the first member and the terminal retaining member.

[0014] (4) Based on (3), preferably, in the engagement direction, the interval between the spring portion and the locking protrusion is set to be larger than the thickness of the guide rib. According to this structure, the relative tilt between the terminal retaining member and the first member can be absorbed.

[0015] (5) Based on (1) to (4), it is preferable that the second member is formed into a square tube shape surrounding the first member. According to this structure, the rigidity of the first member can be improved.

[0016] (6) Based on (5), preferably, the second guide portion includes: a protrusion formed on the outer surface of the first member; and a guide groove formed on the inner surface of the second member, wherein an inlet groove is formed on the inner surface of the second member, the inlet groove communicating with the guide groove and opening at its end in the fitting direction of the second member. According to this structure, by inserting the protrusion into the inlet groove, the first member and the second member can be assembled.

[0017] (7) Based on (6), preferably, the inlet groove is connected to the outside of the guide groove for the protrusion to absorb the maximum range of movement when the positional offset occurs. According to this structure, it is possible to prevent the protrusion from detaching from the guide groove and entering the inlet groove during the relative displacement between the first member and the second member.

[0018] (8) Based on (7), preferably, a limiting part is provided in the second component, which restricts the external displacement of the protrusion to the maximum range of movement. According to this structure, it is possible to prevent the protrusion from entering the guide groove after the first component and the second component are assembled.

[0019] (9) Based on (1) to (4), preferably, the second guide portion includes: a protrusion formed on the outer surface of the first member; and a guide groove formed on the inner surface of the second member, wherein the dimension of the guide groove in the engagement direction is set to be larger than the dimension of the protrusion in the engagement direction, thereby allowing relative tilting between the first member and the second member. According to this structure, relative tilting between the first member and the second member can be absorbed.

[0020] (Details of the embodiments disclosed herein) (Example 1) Reference Figures 1 to 13 The present invention will be illustrated by Embodiment 1, which embodies this disclosure. The invention is not limited by these illustrations, but is defined by the claims and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. In Embodiment 1, regarding the front-back direction, Figures 1-9 In 11-13, direction F is defined as forward. Regarding the up and down directions, ... Figures 1-8 In 10 and 12, the H direction is defined as upward. Regarding the left and right directions, Figures 1-11 In 13, the R direction is defined as the right.

[0021] The connector device A in this embodiment 1 is a device that is mounted on the plate-shaped support member P and engages with the counterpart connector B mounted on the counterpart support member 55. In this embodiment 1, the counterpart connector B is positioned above the connector device A, and the counterpart connector B and the connector device A engage by approaching each other in the vertical direction.

[0022] The counterpart connector B has a housing body 50 and a female counterpart terminal (not shown) housed within the housing body 50. For example... Figure 2As shown, a guide portion 51 with a shape protruding toward the connector device A is formed on the lower surface of the housing body 50 opposite to the connector device A. The guide portion 51 has a guide surface 52 that is inclined relative to the mating direction. When the mating connector B and the connector device A are mated in a state where their positions are offset in a two-dimensional direction (horizontal direction) orthogonal to the mating direction, the guide surface 52 slides into contact with the opening edge of the connector device A, thereby correcting the positional offset of the mating connector B and the connector device A in the two-dimensional direction (front-back direction and left-right direction).

[0023] Connector device A is configured to include a terminal retaining member 10 and multiple male terminal parts 16 (see reference). Figure 10 ) and retainer 20. (e.g.) Figure 1 , 3 As shown, the terminal retaining member 10 is rectangular with a mating recess 11 formed on its upper surface (the surface opposite the connector B). Viewed from above in a top view of the connector assembly A, the terminal retaining member 10 is rectangular. Multiple terminal parts 16 are mounted on the terminal retaining member 10. The opening edge of the mating recess 11 in the terminal retaining member 10 is rectangular. Figure 3 , 4 As shown in Figures 11 and 12, first retaining protrusions 12 are formed on the left and right outer sides of the terminal retaining member 10. The first retaining protrusions 12 are formed into a shape that extends elongatedly in the vertical direction (parallel to the mating direction) and are disposed at the center position in the front-rear direction of the terminal retaining member 10.

[0024] Two short sides extending in the front-rear direction on the four sides of the opening edge are formed with locking protrusions 13. These locking protrusions 13 are elongated in the front-rear direction and protrude from the outer surface of the terminal retaining member 10 in the left-right direction. For example... Figure 4 As shown, a first sliding contact surface 14 is formed at both the front and rear ends of the lower surface of the locking protrusion 13, which bends downward in a side view when viewed from the left and right directions.

[0025] Spring portions 15, spaced apart in the front-rear direction, are formed at the front and rear ends of the left and right outer surfaces of the terminal retaining member 10. Each spring portion 15 extends upward from the outer surface of the terminal retaining member 10 in a cantilever shape. The upper end (extended end) of the spring portion 15 is positioned at a distance from the first sliding contact surface 14 in the lower surface of the locking protrusion 13. The spring portion 15 can elastically deform by tilting in the left-right direction (relative to the direction away from or towards the outer surface of the terminal retaining member 10).

[0026] The retaining member 20 is configured to include a first member 21 and a second member 35. The first member 21 is a member with a rectangular shape in plan view. Figure 5 , 6 As shown, the first component 21 has a first front wall portion 22, a first rear wall portion 23, and a pair of left and right first side wall portions 24, forming a box shape open on both the top and bottom. Guide ribs 25 extending in the front-rear direction are formed at the upper ends of the inner surfaces of the left and right first side wall portions 24. The guide ribs 25, the locking protrusions 13, and the spring portion 15 constitute the first guide portion 26. A first retaining plate portion 27 is formed at the center of the guide ribs 25 in the front-rear direction. The first retaining plate portion 27 has a first retaining portion 28 that has a concave-convex shape when viewed from above. The first retaining plate portion 27 is capable of elastic deformation in the left-right direction.

[0027] Protrusions 29 are formed at both ends of the first front wall portion 22 and at both ends of the first rear wall portion 23. The protrusions 29 are located at the center of the first front wall portion 22 and the first rear wall portion 23 in the vertical direction, and protrude from the outer surface of the first front wall portion 22 and the first rear wall portion 23. A second sliding contact surface 30 is formed on the lower surface of the protrusions 29, which causes the first member 21 to bulge downward in a frontal view.

[0028] Second retaining plate portions 31 are formed at the center of the first front wall portion 22 in the left-right direction and at the center of the first rear wall portion 23 in the left-right direction, respectively. The second retaining plate portions 31 are disposed at the upper ends of the first front wall portion 22 and the first rear wall portion 23. Second retaining protrusions 32 are formed on the outer surface of the second retaining plate portions 31. The second retaining plate portions 31 are elastically deformable in a forward-backward bending manner. Step portions 33, which are recessed on the outer surfaces, are formed at the left ends of the first front wall portion 22 and the first rear wall portion 23.

[0029] The second component 35, like the first component 21, is a rectangular component when viewed from above. For example... Figure 7 , 8 As shown, the second member 35 has a second front wall portion 36, a second rear wall portion 37, and a pair of second side wall portions 38, forming a box shape open on both the top and bottom. The second member 35 has a size that surrounds the first member 21 when viewed from above. Guide grooves 39 extending in the left-right direction are formed on the inner surface of the second front wall portion 36 and the inner surface of the second rear wall portion 37, respectively. The guide grooves 39 and the protrusions 29 of the first member 21 constitute the second guide portion 40.

[0030] A pair of guide grooves 41R and 41L are formed on the inner surface of the second front wall portion 36 and the inner surface of the second rear wall portion 37, respectively. The guide grooves 41R and 41L extend in the vertical direction. The lower ends of the guide grooves 41R and 41L open on the lower surface of the second member 35. The upper end of the right guide groove 41R communicates with a position in the guide groove 39 that is to the right of the center in the horizontal direction. The upper end of the left guide groove 41L communicates with the left end of the guide groove 39. The horizontal spacing between the right guide groove 41R and the left guide groove 41L is set to the same size as the spacing between the left and right protrusions 29 of the first member 21.

[0031] A second retaining portion 42, which has a concave-convex shape in plan view, is formed at the center of the inner surface of the second front wall portion 36 and at the center of the inner surface of the second rear wall portion 37. The second retaining portion 42 is disposed at the upper end of the second member 35. A limiting portion 43, which cantilevered to the right along the inner surface of the second front wall portion 36, is formed at the left end of the second front wall portion 36. A limiting portion 43, which cantilevered to the right along the inner surface of the second rear wall portion 37, is formed at the left end of the second rear wall portion 37. The limiting portion 43 is disposed at the upper end of the second member 35 and can elastically deform in the forward and backward directions.

[0032] Next, the assembly sequence of connector device A will be explained. The terminal retaining member 10 is inserted from top to bottom into the first member 21. During insertion, the four spring portions 15 elastically deform. When the locking protrusion 13 abuts against the upper surface of the guide rib 25, the spring portions 15 elastically return to their original position, becoming close to and opposite the lower surface of the guide rib 25. Thus, the guide rib 25 is sandwiched between the locking protrusion 13 and the spring portions 15, and the assembly of the first guide portion 26 is completed. When the first guide portion 26 is assembled, the terminal retaining member 10 and the first member 21 are in a state where relative displacement in the forward and backward direction is possible, but relative displacement in the upward and downward direction is restricted.

[0033] When the first guide portion 26 is assembled, if the first retaining protrusion 12 and the first retaining portion 28 are not engaged, the terminal retaining member 10 and the first member 21 are displaced relative to each other in the front-rear direction to engage the first retaining protrusion 12 and the first retaining portion 28. With the first retaining protrusion 12 and the first retaining portion 28 engaged, the terminal retaining member 10 and the first member 21 are in a neutral position relative to each other in the front-rear direction. That is, the center of the terminal retaining member 10 in the front-rear direction coincides with the center of the first member 21 in the front-rear direction, thus maintaining the terminal retaining member 10 in a neutral position relative to the first member 21 in the front-rear direction. Through the above operations, the assembly of the terminal retaining member 10 and the first member 21 is completed.

[0034] After assembling the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 21, the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 21 are inserted into the interior of the second member 35 from below. At this time, the four protrusions 29 are engaged with the four guide grooves 41R and 41L. Furthermore, after the protrusions 29 reach the guide grooves 39, the first member 21 is moved to the right relative to the second member 35, so that the protrusions 29 are engaged with the guide grooves 39. Thus, the assembly of the second guide part 40 is completed. When the assembly of the second guide part 40 is completed, the first member 21 is in a state where it can be relatively displaced in the left and right directions relative to the terminal holding member 10 and the second member 35, but its relative displacement in the up and down directions and its relative displacement in the forward and backward directions are restricted.

[0035] When the second guide portion 40 is assembled, if the second retaining protrusion 32 and the second retaining portion 42 do not engage, the first member 21 and the second member 35 are displaced relative to each other in the left and right directions to engage the second retaining protrusion 32 and the second retaining portion 42. With the second retaining protrusion 32 and the second retaining portion 42 engaged, the first member 21 and the second member 35 are positioned in a neutral position relative to each other in the left and right directions. That is, the center of the first member 21 in the left and right directions coincides with the center of the second member 35 in the left and right directions, thus maintaining the first member 21 in a neutral position relative to the second member 35. Through the above operations, the assembly of the terminal retaining member 10, the first member 21, and the second member 35, i.e., the assembly of the connector device A, is completed. Alternatively, the first member 21 and the second member 35 can be assembled first, followed by the assembly of the terminal retaining member 10 and the first member 21.

[0036] By bringing the plate-shaped support member P and the opposite-side support member 55 close vertically, the opposite-side connector B is engaged with the connector device A. When the opposite-side connector B is engaged with the connector device A, if the opposite-side connector B and the terminal retaining member 10 are displaced in the forward / backward or left / right direction, the displacement is absorbed as described below.

[0037] When the terminal retaining member 10 shifts position relative to the counterpart connector B in the front-rear direction, the guide surface 52 of the counterpart connector B slides against the opening edge of the upper surface of the terminal retaining member 10 while pressing forward or backward. This pressing causes the first retaining plate portion 27 to elastically deform, the first retaining protrusion 12 to disengage from the first retaining portion 28, and the terminal retaining member 10 to move relative to the front-rear direction from its neutral position in the first member 21. At this time, the first sliding contact surface 14 of the locking protrusion 13 slides against the upper surface of the guide rib 25. Because the first sliding contact surface 14 is curved, the frictional resistance between the first sliding contact surface 14 and the locking protrusion 13 is minimized.

[0038] When the terminal retaining member 10 shifts in position relative to the counterpart connector B in the left-right direction, the guide surface 52 of the counterpart connector B slides against the opening edge of the upper surface of the terminal retaining member 10 while pressing to the left or right. This pressing causes the second retaining plate portion 31 to elastically deform, the second retaining protrusion 32 to disengage from the second retaining portion 42, and the first member 21 to move relative to the left and right from its neutral position in the second member 35. At this time, the second sliding contact surface 30 of the protrusion 29 slides against the inner surface of the guide groove 39. Because the second sliding contact surface 30 is curved, the frictional resistance between the second sliding contact surface 30 and the inner surface of the guide groove 39 is minimized.

[0039] Furthermore, when the terminal retaining member 10 is offset relative to the counterpart connector B in both the front-back and left-right directions, the terminal retaining member 10 is relatively displaced relative to the first member 21 in the front-back direction, and the terminal retaining member 10 and the first member 21 are relatively displaced relative to the second member 35 in the left-right direction. Through the above operations, the positional offset between the counterpart connector B and the terminal retaining member 10 is absorbed, and the counterpart terminal (not shown) is connected to the terminal part 16.

[0040] The connector device A of this embodiment 1 includes a terminal retaining member 10 that engages with a counterpart connector B, a terminal part 16 held by the terminal retaining member 10, and a retaining member 20. The retaining member 20 is a member that moves integrally with the terminal retaining member 10 in the engagement direction toward the counterpart connector B. The retaining member 20 has a first member 21 and a second member 35. A first guide portion 26 is formed on the terminal retaining member 10 and the first member 21 to allow relative displacement between the terminal retaining member 10 and the first member 21 in a first direction (front-back direction) that intersects the engagement direction (vertical direction). A second guide portion 40 is formed on the first member 21 and the second member 35 to allow relative displacement between the first member 21 and the second member 35 in a second direction (left-right direction) that intersects both the engagement direction (vertical direction) and the first direction (front-back direction).

[0041] According to this structure, the positional offset in the first direction (front-back direction) between the parallel connector B and the terminal holding member 10 is absorbed by the relative displacement of the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 21 via the first guide portion 26. The positional offset in the second direction (left-right direction) between the parallel connector B and the terminal holding member 10 is absorbed by the relative displacement of the first member 21 and the second member 35 via the second guide portion 40.

[0042] In the first direction, while the necessary size for the first guide portion 26 includes the maximum relative displacement (maximum floating amount) between the terminal retaining member 10 and the first member 21 in the front-rear direction, it does not require a locking amount in the first direction to prevent the terminal retaining member 10 and the first member 21 from disengaging in the mating direction. Similarly, in the first direction (front-rear direction, i.e., the width direction of the second guide portion 40), the necessary size for the second guide portion 40 (guide groove 39) is only the minimum locking amount necessary to prevent the first member 21 and the second member 35 from disengaging in the mating direction. Therefore, in the first direction, apart from the maximum floating amount, the necessary size for the first guide portion 26 and the second guide portion 40 is only the locking amount in the width direction of the second guide portion 40 (the locking amount between the protrusion 29 and the guide groove 39 in the front-rear direction). Thus, the connector device A according to this embodiment 1 can be miniaturized in the first direction.

[0043] In the second direction, while the necessary size for the second guide portion 40 includes the maximum relative displacement (maximum floating amount) between the first member 21 and the second member 35 in the left-right direction, it does not require a locking amount in the second direction to prevent the first member 21 and the second member 35 from disengaging in the mating direction. Similarly, in the second direction (left-right direction, i.e., the width direction of the first guide portion 26), the necessary size for the first guide portion 26 (guide rib 25) is only the minimum locking amount necessary to prevent the terminal retaining member 10 from disengaging from the first member 21 in the mating direction. Therefore, in the second direction, apart from the maximum floating amount, the necessary size for the first guide portion 26 and the second guide portion 40 is only the locking amount in the width direction of the first guide portion 26 (the locking amount between the locking protrusion 13 and the guide rib 25 in the left-right direction, or the locking amount between the spring portion 15 and the guide rib 25 in the left-right direction). Thus, the connector device A according to this embodiment 1 can be miniaturized in the second direction.

[0044] The first member 21 is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape that surrounds the terminal holding member 10 throughout its entire circumference. This structure improves the rigidity of the first member 21 compared to a shape that only covers a portion of the circumferential direction of the terminal holding member 10. The second member 35 is also formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape that surrounds the first member 21 throughout its entire circumference. This structure also improves the rigidity of the second member 35 compared to a shape that only covers a portion of the circumferential direction of the first member 21.

[0045] The first guide portion 26 includes a guide rib 25 formed on the first member 21, a spring portion 15 capable of elastic deformation disposed on the terminal retaining member 10, and a locking protrusion 13 disposed on the terminal retaining member 10. The locking protrusion 13 is configured to clamp the guide rib 25 between the locking protrusion 13 and the spring portion 15 in the vertical direction. The spring portion 15 elastically deforms during the assembly process of the terminal retaining member 10 and the first member 21. According to this structure, the assembly operation of the first member 21 and the terminal retaining member 10 is easy.

[0046] The second guide portion 40 includes a protrusion 29 formed on the outer surface of the first member 21 and a guide groove 39 formed on the inner surface of the second member 35. Inlet grooves 41R and 41L are formed on the inner surface of the second member 35, communicating with the guide grooves 39 and opening at their lower ends in the fitting direction of the second member 35. According to this structure, by inserting the protrusion 29 into the inlet grooves 41R and 41L, the first member 21 and the second member 35 can be assembled. The inlet grooves 41R and 41L communicate with the outer part (the portion to the left of the maximum range of movement) of the guide groove 39 where the protrusion 29 absorbs positional displacement. According to this structure, it is possible to prevent the protrusion 29 from detaching from the guide groove 39 and entering the inlet grooves 41R and 41L during relative displacement between the first member 21 and the second member 35. A stepped portion 33 is formed on the first member 21, and a limited-movement portion 43 is formed on the second member 35. When the protrusion 29 is to move outward from the maximum range of movement (to the left of the maximum range of movement), it abuts against the limiting part 43 at the right end of the step part 33, thereby preventing the protrusion 29 from disengaging from the maximum range of movement. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the protrusion 29 from entering the guide grooves 41R and 41L after the first component 21 and the second component 35 are assembled.

[0047] (Example 2) Reference Figures 14-18 The connector device C of Embodiment 2, which embodies the present disclosure, will be described below. In this Embodiment 2, regarding the front and rear directions, Figures 14-16 In this context, the F direction is defined as forward. Regarding the up and down directions, [the following is a separate section:] Figures 15-18 The H direction is defined as upward. Regarding the left and right directions, [the following is a list of directions]. Figure 14 , 17 In 18, the R direction is defined as the rightward direction. In this embodiment 2, the connector device C replaces the first guide portion 26 of embodiment 1 and has a first guide portion 67. Furthermore, in this embodiment 2, the connector device C replaces the second guide portion 40 of embodiment 1 and has a second guide portion 72. Other structures are the same as in embodiment 1; therefore, the same reference numerals are used to label identical structures, and descriptions of their construction, function, and effects are omitted.

[0048] The connector device C of this embodiment 2 is configured to include a terminal retaining member 60, a plurality of male terminal parts (not shown) mounted on the terminal retaining member 60, and a retaining member 65. In a top view of the connector device C, the outer periphery of the terminal retaining member 60 and the opening edge of the fitting recess 11 in the terminal retaining member 60 are rectangular.

[0049] Two short sides extending in the front-rear direction are formed in the rectangular opening edge of the terminal retaining member 60, and the locking protrusions 13 are formed into an elongated shape in the front-rear direction and protrude from the outer surface of the terminal retaining member 60 in the left-right direction. Figure 15 , 16 As shown, a pair of first upper sliding contact surfaces 61, for example, symmetrically arranged front-to-back, are formed on the lower surface of the locking protrusion 13. The first upper sliding contact surfaces 61 are, for example, curved surfaces that bulge downwards when viewed from the side in a left-right direction. The area on the lower surface of the locking protrusion 13 other than the first upper sliding contact surfaces 61 is defined as a non-sliding contact surface 62. The non-sliding contact surface 62 is formed of a plane. The lowermost end 61P of the first upper sliding contact surface 61 is located at a height lower than the non-sliding contact surface 62. Alternatively, the number of first upper sliding contact surfaces 61 formed on the lower surface of each locking protrusion 13 may be only one. In this case, the first upper sliding contact surface 61 is preferably formed at the center of the lower surface of each locking protrusion 13 in the front-to-back direction, or at a position on the lower surface of each locking protrusion 13 closer to the center than the two ends in the front-to-back direction.

[0050] A pair of spring portions 63, for example, symmetrically arranged front to back, are formed on the left and right outer sides of the terminal retaining member 60. The spring portions 63 are cantilevered upwards from the outer side of the terminal retaining member 60. The spring portions 63 are elastically deformable by tilting in a left-right direction (relative to the direction away from or towards the outer side of the terminal retaining member 60). A first lower sliding contact surface 64 is formed at the upper end (protruding end) of each spring portion 63. The first lower sliding contact surface 64 is, for example, a curved surface that bulges upwards when viewed from the side in a left-right direction.

[0051] The retainer 65 is configured to include a first member 66 and a second member 71. A guide rib 25 extending in the front-rear direction is formed at the upper end of the inner surface of the left and right first sidewall portions 24 constituting the first member 66. The guide rib 25, the locking protrusion 13, and the spring portion 63 constitute the first guide portion 67.

[0052] When connector device C and the other-side connector B are not engaged, such as Figure 15As shown, the lowermost end 61P of a pair of first upper sliding contact surfaces 61 abuts against the upper surface of the guide rib 25, which is formed by a horizontal plane. The vertical distance D1 between the lowermost end 61P of the first upper sliding contact surface 61 and the uppermost end 64P of the first lower sliding contact surface 64 is larger than the vertical thickness T1 of the guide rib 25. A vertical gap S is formed between the lower surface of the guide rib 25, which is formed by a horizontal plane, and the uppermost end 64P of the pair of first lower sliding contact surfaces 64. A gap S is also formed between the upper surface of the guide rib 25 and the curved area other than the lowermost end 61P of the first upper sliding contact surfaces 61. A gap S is also formed between the upper surface of the guide rib 25 and the non-sliding contact surface 62 of the locking protrusion 13. These gaps S are spaces that allow the terminal retaining member 60 and the first member 66 to tilt relative to each other when viewed from the side.

[0053] Protrusions 68 are formed at both ends of the first front wall portion 22 and the first rear wall portion 23. The protrusions 68 are located at the center of the first front wall portion 22 and the first rear wall portion 23 in the vertical direction, and protrude from the outer surfaces of the first front wall portion 22 and the first rear wall portion 23. A second upper sliding contact surface 69 is formed on the upper surface of the protrusions 68. The second upper sliding contact surface 69 is formed by a curved surface that bulges upwards when viewed from the front of the first member 66. A second lower sliding contact surface 70 is formed on the lower surface of the protrusions 68. The second lower sliding contact surface 70 is formed by a curved surface that bulges downwards when viewed from the front. Furthermore, the number of protrusions 68 formed in the first front wall portion 22 and the first rear wall portion 23 may be two or one.

[0054] The second component 71, like the first component 66, is rectangular in shape when viewed from above. Guide grooves 39 extending in the left-right direction are formed on the inner surfaces of the second front wall portion 36 and the second rear wall portion 37 constituting the second component 71. The guide grooves 39 and the protrusions 68 of the first component 66 constitute the second guide portion 72. Each guide groove 39 receives a pair of protrusions 68 from the first component 66.

[0055] When connector device C and the other-side connector B are not engaged, such as Figure 17As shown, the lowermost end 70P of a pair of second lower sliding contact surfaces 70 abuts against the lower surface of the guide groove 39, which is formed by a horizontal plane. The vertical dimension between the uppermost end 69P of the second upper sliding contact surface 69 and the lowermost end 70P of the second lower sliding contact surface 70, i.e., the vertical dimension L1 of the protrusion 68, is smaller than the vertical dimension L2 of the guide groove 39. A gap S is formed between the upper surface of the guide groove 39, which is formed by a horizontal plane, and the uppermost end 69P of the second upper sliding contact surface 69. A gap S is also formed between the upper surface of the guide groove 39 and the area other than the uppermost end 69P of the second upper sliding contact surface 69. A gap S is also formed between the lower surface of the guide groove 39 and the area other than the lowermost end 70P of the second lower sliding contact surface 70. These gaps S are spaces that allow the first member 66 and the second member 71 to tilt relative to each other when viewed from the front.

[0056] During the mating process between connector device C and the counterpart connector B, if the plate-shaped support member P supporting connector device C (in...) Figures 14-18 (Illustrations omitted) and the opposite-side support member 55 supporting the opposite-side connector B (in) Figures 14-18 If an inclination occurs between the first guide portion 67 and the second guide portion 72 (the diagram is omitted), the inclination is absorbed by the gap S formed in the first guide portion 67 and the second guide portion 72.

[0057] For example, such as Figure 16 As shown, in a side view, when the terminal retaining member 60 is tilted clockwise relative to the first member 66, the rear first lower sliding contact surface 64 of the pair of first lower sliding contact surfaces 64 moves downward relative to the lower surface of the guide rib 25, and the rear first upper sliding contact surface 61 of the pair of first upper sliding contact surfaces 61 abuts against the upper surface of the guide rib 25 from below. The state in which the rear first upper sliding contact surface 61 abuts against the upper surface of the guide rib 25 and the front first lower sliding contact surface 64 abuts against the lower surface of the guide rib 25 is the maximum tilt position of the terminal retaining member 60.

[0058] For example, such as Figure 18 As shown, under the main view, when the first member 66 is tilted clockwise relative to the second member 71, the right second lower sliding contact surface 70 of the pair of second lower sliding contact surfaces 70 moves upward relative to the lower surface of the guide groove 39. The state in which the right second upper sliding contact surface 69 abuts against the upper surface of the guide groove 39 and the left second lower sliding contact surface 70 abuts against the lower surface of the guide groove 39 is the maximum tilt position of the first member 66.

[0059] In the engagement direction, the minimum interval between the spring portion 63 and the locking protrusion 13 is set to be larger than the thickness of the guide rib 25. This structure can absorb the relative tilt between the terminal retaining member 60 and the first member 66.

[0060] The second guide portion 72 includes a protrusion 68 formed on the outer surface of the first member 66 and a guide groove 39 formed on the inner surface of the second member 71. The dimension of the guide groove 39 in the engagement direction is set to be larger than the dimension of the protrusion 68 in the engagement direction. According to this structure, the relative tilt between the first member 66 and the second member 71 can be absorbed.

[0061] (Other embodiments) This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and in the accompanying drawings, but is defined by the claims. The invention includes all modifications equivalent to and within the scope of the claims, and also includes the embodiments described below.

[0062] The first component can also be a shape other than a square tube.

[0063] The second component can also be any shape other than a square tube.

[0064] The second guide portion can also be formed by a guide groove formed on the inner surface of the first member and a protrusion formed on the inner surface of the second member. Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0065] A… connector device B… Connector on the opposite side C… connector device P…plate-shaped support member 10…Terminal holding member 11…fitting recess 12…First maintain protrusion 13…Isolation protrusion 14…First sliding contact surface 15…Spring section 16…Terminal parts 20… Retaining parts 21…First Component 22…First anterior wall portion 23…First posterior wall section 24…First sidewall portion 25…Guiding rib 26…First Guiding Department 27…First retaining plate section 28…First Maintenance Department 29…protrusion 30…Second sliding contact surface 31…Second retaining plate section 32…Second, maintain protrusion 33…Step section 35…Second component 36…Second anterior wall portion 37…Second posterior wall portion 38…Second sidewall portion 39…Guide slot 40…Second Guiding Section 41L…Inlet slot 41R…Inlet Slot 42…Second Maintenance Section 43…Limited Movement Section 50…shell body 51…Guide Section 52…guide surface 55…Opposite side support component 60…Terminal holding member 61…First upper sliding contact surface 61P…the lowest end of the first upper sliding contact surface 62…Non-sliding contact surface 63…Spring section 64…First lower sliding contact surface 64P…the top of the first lower sliding contact surface 65… Retaining parts 66…First Component 67…First Guiding Department 68…protrusion 69…Second upper sliding contact surface 69P…the uppermost end of the second upper sliding contact surface 70…Second lower sliding contact surface 70P…the lowest point of the second lower sliding contact surface 71…Second component 72…Second Guiding Section D1… The vertical distance between the bottom edge of the first upper sliding contact surface and the top edge of the first lower sliding contact surface. L1…Dimensions of the protrusion in the vertical direction L2…Dimensions of the guide groove in the vertical direction T1…thickness dimension of the guide rib in the vertical direction.

Claims

1. A connector device comprising: a terminal holding member that is fitted to an opposite-side connector; a terminal part held by the terminal holding member; and a holding member that moves integrally with the terminal holding member in a fitting direction in which the opposite-side connector is fitted, the holding member having a first member and a second member, a first guide portion being formed in the terminal holding member and the first member, the first guide portion allowing the terminal holding member and the first member to relatively displace in a first direction that intersects the fitting direction, and a second guide portion being formed in the first member and the second member, the second guide portion allowing the first member and the second member to relatively displace in a second direction that intersects both the fitting direction and the first direction.

2. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein the first member is formed in a square tube shape that surrounds the terminal holding member.

3. The connector device according to claim 2, wherein the first guide portion includes a guide rib formed in the first member, a spring portion provided to the terminal holding member and capable of elastically deforming, and a locking protrusion portion provided to the terminal holding member that sandwiches the guide rib between the locking protrusion portion and the spring portion, and the spring portion elastically deforms during assembly of the terminal holding member and the first member.

4. The connector device according to claim 3, wherein a gap between the spring portion and the locking protrusion portion in the fitting direction is set to be larger than a thickness dimension of the guide rib.

5. The connector device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second member is formed in a square tube shape that surrounds the first member.

6. The connector device according to claim 5, wherein the second guide portion includes a protrusion portion formed on an outer surface of the first member, and a guide groove formed on an inner surface of the second member, and an introduction groove is formed in the inner surface of the second member, the introduction groove being open at an end portion in the fitting direction of the second member and communicating with the guide groove.

7. The connector device according to claim 6, wherein the introduction groove communicates with an outside of the guide groove for a maximum displacement range of the protrusion portion when absorbing a positional displacement.

8. The connector device according to claim 7, wherein a limit portion is provided to the second member, the limit portion limiting displacement of the protrusion portion to an outside of the maximum displacement range.

9. The connector device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second guide portion includes a protrusion portion formed on an outer surface of the first member, and a guide groove formed on an inner surface of the second member, and a dimension of the guide groove in the fitting direction is set to be larger than a dimension of the protrusion portion in the fitting direction, whereby the first member and the second member can relatively incline. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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